WO2022120177A1 - Nerve targeting peptides and methods of use - Google Patents

Nerve targeting peptides and methods of use Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022120177A1
WO2022120177A1 PCT/US2021/061821 US2021061821W WO2022120177A1 WO 2022120177 A1 WO2022120177 A1 WO 2022120177A1 US 2021061821 W US2021061821 W US 2021061821W WO 2022120177 A1 WO2022120177 A1 WO 2022120177A1
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Prior art keywords
nerve
amino acid
seq
targeting peptide
nos
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PCT/US2021/061821
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French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Whitney
Quyen Nguyen
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Alume Biosciences, Inc.
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Publication of WO2022120177A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022120177A1/en

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K7/00—Peptides having 5 to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K7/04—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links
    • C07K7/06—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links having 5 to 11 amino acids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K41/00—Medicinal preparations obtained by treating materials with wave energy or particle radiation ; Therapies using these preparations
    • A61K41/0057—Photodynamic therapy with a photosensitizer, i.e. agent able to produce reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light or radiation, e.g. UV or visible light; photocleavage of nucleic acids with an agent
    • A61K41/0071—PDT with porphyrins having exactly 20 ring atoms, i.e. based on the non-expanded tetrapyrrolic ring system, e.g. bacteriochlorin, chlorin-e6, or phthalocyanines
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
    • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
    • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
    • A61K47/62—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being a protein, peptide or polyamino acid
    • A61K47/64—Drug-peptide, drug-protein or drug-polyamino acid conjugates, i.e. the modifying agent being a peptide, protein or polyamino acid which is covalently bonded or complexed to a therapeutically active agent
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K49/00—Preparations for testing in vivo
    • A61K49/001—Preparation for luminescence or biological staining
    • A61K49/0013—Luminescence
    • A61K49/0017—Fluorescence in vivo
    • A61K49/005—Fluorescence in vivo characterised by the carrier molecule carrying the fluorescent agent
    • A61K49/0056—Peptides, proteins, polyamino acids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/0014—Skin, i.e. galenical aspects of topical compositions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/0019—Injectable compositions; Intramuscular, intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous administration; Compositions to be administered through the skin in an invasive manner
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K7/00—Peptides having 5 to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K7/04—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links
    • C07K7/08—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links having 12 to 20 amino acids

Definitions

  • EMG electromyographic
  • neuron or nerve labeling which primarily depend on retrograde or anterograde tracing of individually identified axonal tracts via the use of fluorescent dyes.
  • methods of labeling neuron or nerves by locally applied fluorescent tracers have several disadvantages.
  • this technique can label only one neuron or nerve fiber tract at a time, depending on where the dye has been injected.
  • Second, this technique results in only limited labeling of fluorescent dyes along the axonal tracts, because retrograde axonal tracers typically accumulate in the neural cell body.
  • the present disclosure provides peptide sequences that selectively bind to human nerves or neurons, as well as methods of using those peptides, for example to visualize nerves during surgical procedures, or to target drugs and other agents to nerves.
  • the present disclosure provides a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising: a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710; and a cargo molecule.
  • the present disclosure provides a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising: a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66; and a cargo molecule.
  • the present disclosure provides a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising: a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710 and a cargo molecule.
  • the cargo molecule comprises a drug, fluorescent moiety, or photosensitizing agent.
  • the cargo molecule is joined to the N-terminus or C- terminus of the peptide.
  • the cargo molecule is joined to the peptide via a linker.
  • the linker is a straight or branched-chain carbon linker, heterocyclic carbon linker, amino acid linker, lipophilic residue, peptide linker, peptide nucleic acid linker, hydrazone linker, SPDB disulfide, sulfo-SPDB, maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1 -carboxylate (MCC), aminohexanoic acid linker, poly ether linker, or polyethylene glycol linker.
  • MCC maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1 -carboxylate
  • the cargo molecule comprises a fluorescent moiety.
  • the fluorescent moiety is a fluorescent protein, a fluorescent peptide, a fluorophore, or any combination thereof.
  • the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of: a xanthene; a bimane; a coumarin; an aromatic amine; a benzofuran; a fluorescent cyanine; a carbazole; a dicyanomethylene pyrane; polymethine; oxabenzanthrane; pyrylium; carbostyl; perylene; acridone; quinacridone; rubrene; anthracene; coronene; phenanthrecene; pyrene; butadiene; stilbene; porphyrin; pthalocyanine; lanthanide metal chelate complexes; rare-earth metal chelate complexes; and derivatives thereof.
  • the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of: 5 -carboxyfluorescein; fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; 6- carboxyfluorescein; tetramethylrhodamine-6-isothiocyanate; 5- carboxytetramethylrhodamine; 5-carboxy rhodol derivatives; tetramethyl and tetraethyl rhodamine; diphenyldimethyl and diphenyldiethyl rhodamine; dinaphthyl rhodamine; rhodamine 101 sulfonyl chloride; Cy3, Cy3B, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5, Cy 7, indocyanine green, IR800CW, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), EGFP, 6-FAM, FAM, fluorescein, 5,6-dicarboxyfluorescein, 5-(and 6)-sulfofluorescein, sulfone
  • the cargo molecule comprises a photosensitizing agent.
  • the photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: a porphyrin, chlorin, and dye.
  • the photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: porphyrin, protoporfin IX, purlytin, verteporfin, HPPH, temoporfin, methylene blue, photofrin, protofrin, hematoporphyrin, Talaporfm, benzopophyrin derivative monoacid, 5-aminileuvolinic acid, Lutetium texaphyrin, metallophthalocyanine, metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazine, metallo- naphthalocyanines, zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine, bacteriochlorins, metallochlorins, chlorine derivative, Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC), pheophorbide, dibromofluorescein (DBF), IR700DX, naphthalocyanine, and porphyrin derivatives.
  • the cargo molecule comprises a drug.
  • the drug is selected from the group consisting of: an antihistamine, a GABA receptor modulator, a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor, a local anesthetic, an anticholinergic, a sodium channel blocker, a calcium channel blocker, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone, a y-secretase inhibitor, an AMPA receptor agonist or antagonist, an NMD A receptor agonist or antagonist, an mGlu receptor agonist or antagonist, a growth factor, an antiemetic agent, a corticosteroid, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NS AID), an anti-epileptic agent, a neurotropic agent, a cytotoxic agent, an antioxidant, an iron chelator, a mitochondrial modulator, a sirtuin modulator, a nitric oxide (NO) and/or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) modulator, a potassium channel agonist or antagonist, a purigenic receptor agonist or antagonist, or any
  • the drug is selected from the group consisting of: benzocaine; carticaine; cinchocaine; cyclomethycaine; lidocaine; prilocaine; propxycaine; proparacaine; tetracaine; tocainide; trimecaine; methotrexate; cyclophosphamide; thalidomide; paclitaxel; pemetrexed; pentostatin; pipobroman; pixantrone; plicamycin; platonin; procarbazine; raltitrexed; rebeccamycin; rubitecan; SN-38; salinosporamide A; satraplatin; streptozotocin; swainsonine; tariquidar; taxane; tegafur-uracil; temozolomide; testolactone; thioTEPA; tioguanine; topotecan; trabectedin; tretinoin; triplatin
  • the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nerve targeting peptide conjugate described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of delivering a cargo molecule to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of identifying a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of delivering a drug to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of delivering a photosensitizing agent to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
  • Phage display screening was used to identify human nerve binding peptide sequences specific to proteins expressed in the human peripheral nerve (e.g., nidogen-2, myelin protein zero (MPZ), myelin proteolipid protein (myelin PLP), and myelin basic protein), as well as specific laminin tnmers expressed in human nerves.
  • Peptides described herein may bind to motor, sensory and autonomic nerves.
  • Nerve targeting peptides can be used for nerve targeting peptide conjugates comprising a nerve targeting peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1- 710; and a cargo molecule, such as a drug, fluorescent moiety, or photosensitizing agent.
  • Nerve targeting peptide conjugates of the present disclosure may be used for delivering a cargo molecule to a neuron or nerve, identifying a neuron or nerve, delivering a drug to a neuron or nerve, or delivering a photosensitizing agent to a neuron or nerve.
  • any concentration range, percentage range, ratio range, or integer range is to be understood to include the value of any integer within the recited range and, when appropriate, fractions thereof (such as one tenth and one hundredth of an integer), unless otherwise indicated.
  • any number range recited herein relating to any physical feature, such as polymer subunits, size or thickness are to be understood to include any integer within the recited range, unless otherwise indicated.
  • the term "about” means ⁇ 20% of the indicated range, value, or structure, unless otherwise indicated.
  • central nervous system or “CNS” refers to the brain and the spinal cord, as well as the retina.
  • the “peripheral nervous system” or “PNS” refers to the nerves and ganglia outside the CNS.
  • the PNS is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
  • the somatic nervous system controls all voluntary muscular systems within the body, and the process of voluntary reflex arcs and is composed of afferent or sensory nerves, which relay sensation from the body to the central nervous system, and efferent or motor nerves, which send out commands from the CNS to the body, stimulating muscle contraction.
  • the autonomic nervous system supplies smooth muscle and glands, and thus influences the function of internal organs.
  • the autonomic nervous system acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal.
  • a “neuron” refers to an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling.
  • a typical neuron possesses a cell body (often called the soma), dendrites, and an axon.
  • a “nerve” refers to an enclosed, cable-like bundle of neural axons.
  • Each nerve is a cordlike structure that contains many axons.
  • Each axon within the nerve is an extension of an individual neuron.
  • each axon is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue called the endoneunum.
  • the axons are bundled together into groups called fascicles, and each fascicle is wrapped in a layer of connective tissue called the perineurium.
  • Each nerve is covered on the outside by a dense sheath of connective tissue, the epineurium.
  • conjugate refers to a peptide attached to at least one cargo molecule, optionally via a linker.
  • polypeptide refers to a polymer of amino acid residues.
  • the terms apply to naturally occurring amino acid polymers as well as amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residues is a non-naturally occurring amino acid (e.g., an amino acid analog).
  • the terms encompass amino acid chains of any length, including full length proteins (i.e., antigens), wherein the amino acid residues are linked by covalent peptide bonds.
  • peptide refers to a polymer of amino acid residues typically ranging in length from 2 to about 50 residues.
  • amino acid sequence L-, D-, or beta amino acid versions of the sequence are also contemplated as well as retro, inversion, and retro-inversion isoforms.
  • Peptides also include amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residues is an artificial chemical analogue of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acid polymers.
  • the term applies to amino acids joined by a peptide linkage or by other modified linkages (e.g., where the peptide bond is replaced by an a-ester, a /3-ester, a thioamide, phosphonamide, carbamate, hydroxylate, and the like (see, e.g., Spatola, (1983) Chem. Biochem.
  • amino acid refers to naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid mimetics that function in a manner similar to the naturally occurring amino acids.
  • Naturally occurring amino acids are those encoded by the genetic code, as well as those amino acids that are later modified, e.g., hydroxyproline, y-carboxyglutamate, and O-phosphoserine.
  • An amino acid may be an L- or D-amino acid.
  • Amino acid analogs refer to compounds that have the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid, i.e., a carbon that is bound to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and an R group, e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methionine sulfoxide. Such analogs have modified R groups (e.g., norleucine) or modified peptide backbones, but retain the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid.
  • Amino acid mimetics refers to chemical compounds that have a structure that is different from the general chemical structure of an amino acid, but that function in a manner similar to a naturally occurring amino acid.
  • Amino acids may be referred to herein by either their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUP AC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides, likewise, may be referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes.
  • the following eight groups each contain amino acids that are conservative substitutions for one another: 1) Alanine (A), Glycine (G); 2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E); 3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q); 4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K); 5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V); 6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W); 7) Serine (S), Threonine (T); and 8) Cysteine (C), Methionine (M) (see, e.g., Creighton, Proteins (1984)).
  • Sequence identity refers to the percentage of amino acid residues in a single sequence that are identical with the amino acid residues in another reference polypeptide sequence after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity.
  • the percentage sequence identity values can be generated using the NCBI BLAST 2.0 software as defined by Altschul et al. (1997), Nucl. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, with the parameters set to default values.
  • label refers to a molecule that facilitates the visualization and/or detection of a targeting molecule disclosed herein.
  • the label is a fluorescent moiety.
  • a target e.g., purified protein, neuron or nerve tissue, neuron or nerves, cranial neuron or nerves, central neuron or nerves, myelinated or unmyelinated neuron or nerves, or connective tissue surrounding neuron or nerves
  • a target e.g., purified protein, neuron or nerve tissue, neuron or nerves, cranial neuron or nerves, central neuron or nerves, myelinated or unmyelinated neuron or nerves, or connective tissue surrounding neuron or nerves
  • “Selective binding,” “selectivity,” and the like refer to the preference of agent to interact with one molecule as compared to another. Preferably, interactions between a peptide disclosed herein and a target are both specific and selective. Note that in some embodiments an agent is designed to “specifically bind” and “selectively bind” two distinct, yet similar targets without binding to other undesirable targets.
  • the terms “individual,” “patient,” or “subject” are used interchangeably. As used herein, they mean any mammal (i.e. species of any orders, families, and genus within the taxonomic classification animalia: chordata: vertebrata: mammalia). In some embodiments, the mammal is a cow, horse, sheep, pig, cat, dog, goat, mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, non-human primate, or human. None of the terms require or are limited to a situation characterized by the supervision (e.g. constant or intermittent) of a health care worker (e.g. a doctor, a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner, a physician's assistant, an orderly, or a hospice worker).
  • a health care worker e.g. a doctor, a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner, a physician's assistant, an orderly, or a hospice worker.
  • administer refers to the methods that may be used to enable delivery of agents or compositions to the desired site of biological action. These methods include, but are not limited to topical, oral, intrarectal, intravaginal, intranasal, inhalation, parenteral injection (e.g., intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular, intrathecal, intravitreal, infusion, or local).
  • parenteral injection e.g., intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular, intrathecal, intravitreal, infusion, or local.
  • Administration techniques that are optionally employed with the agents and methods described herein, include e.g., as discussed in Goodman and Gilman, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, current ed.; Pergamon; and Remington's, Pharmaceutical Sciences (current edition), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.
  • Administration of agents may be local or systemic. In some embodiments, administration is via systemic intravenous injection into human patients.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable refers to a material that does not abrogate the biological activity or properties of the agents described herein, and is relatively nontoxic (i.e., the toxicity of the material significantly outweighs the benefit of the material).
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable material may be administered to an individual without causing significant undesirable biological effects or significantly interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the components of the composition in which it is contained.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, and having the properties of being nontoxic and noninflammatory in a patient.
  • Each excipient must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the patient.
  • Excipients may include, for example: antiadherents, antioxidants, binders, coatings, compression aids, disintegrants, dyes (colors), emollients, emulsifiers, fillers (diluents), film formers or coatings, flavors, fragrances, glidants (flow enhancers), lubricants, preservatives, printing inks, sorbents, suspending or dispersing agents, sweeteners, or waters of hydration.
  • Examples of pharmaceutical excipients can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like.
  • Water or aqueous solutions, saline solutions, and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions are preferably employed as excipients, particularly for injectable solutions.
  • Suitable pharmaceutical excipients are described in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” by E. W. Martin.
  • the subject of the surgery is a human subject or human patient.
  • the present disclosure provides peptides that bind to proteins expressed in the human peripheral nerve that can be used in nerve targeting peptide conjugates of the present disclosure.
  • the peptide ranges in length from about 5 residues to about 50 residues, about 6 residues to about 40 residues, about 7 residues to about 30 residues, about 7 residues to about 20 residues, or about 7 residues to about 15 residues.
  • the peptide ranges in length from about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 residues to about 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, or 25 residues.
  • the peptide ranges in length from about 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 residues to about 15, 20, 25 or 30 residues.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151 (MPZ binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326 (MBP binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410 (PLP binding peptides).
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435 (NID-2 binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642 (Laminin 421/521 binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710 (Nerve tissue/ extract binding peptides).
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17 and 67-151.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152- 326.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327- 410.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :411-435.
  • the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66.
  • the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 97% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide composes the ammo acid sequence having at least 75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710.
  • the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 97% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710.
  • the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44- 47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44- 47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 97% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • peptides of the present disclosure are acetylated at the N- terminus (“Ac” or “acetyl”), amidated at the C-terminus (“CONH2” or “NH2”), or both.
  • the peptides of the present disclosure may be synthesized by any suitable method.
  • the peptides are chemically synthesized, e.g., by solid phase peptide synthesis. Techniques for solid phase synthesis are described, for example, by Barany and Merrifield (1963) Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis; pp. 3-284 in The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology. Vol. 2: Special Methods in Peptide Synthesis, Part A.; Merrifield et al. (1963) J. Am. Chem. Soc, 85: 2149-2156, and Stewart et al. (1984) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd ed. Pierce Chem. Co., Rockford, 111.
  • the peptides are recombinantly produced via cell-based expression systems.
  • a polynucleotide encoding a peptide of the present disclosure may be incorporated into a recombinant expression vector for production of the peptide in a host cell.
  • the expression vector also comprises expression control sequences, such as a promoter, enhancer, initiation site, and the like.
  • the polynucleotide encoding the peptide is operatively linked to at least one expression control sequence in the expression vector to direct mRNA synthesis.
  • Host cells may be genetically engineered (transduced, transformed, or transfected) with the vectors.
  • the vector may be in the form of a plasmid, a viral particle, a phage, etc.
  • the engineered host cells can be cultured in appropriate media and under suitable conditions, such as temperature, pH, and the like, and for a suitable time to express a sufficient amount of the peptide.
  • the synthesized peptides are purified using methods such as preparative reversed phase chromatography, partition chromatography, gel filtration, gel electrophoresis, or ion-exchange chromatography or other methods used in the art.
  • the peptide of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate is directly bound to a cargo molecule. In some embodiments, the peptide of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate is indirectly (e.g., via a linker) bound to a cargo molecule. In some embodiments, the peptide is bound to a cargo molecule at its N-terminus, at its C -terminus, or at an internal position (e.g., to an internal amino acid) of the peptide. In some embodiments, two, three, four or more peptides are directly or indirectly bound to a cargo molecule.
  • a cargo molecule comprises a drug, fluorescent moiety, photosensitizing agent, radiolabel, neurotrophic factor, or a combination thereof.
  • the cargo molecule comprises a drug.
  • the cargo molecule comprises a fluorescent moiety.
  • the cargo molecule comprises a photosensitizing agent.
  • the peptide is bound to two or more cargo molecules.
  • the two or more cargo molecule may be the same molecule or different molecules, or be from the same class of cargo molecule (e.g., two drugs) or from different classes of cargo molecules (e.g., one drug and one fluorescent moiety).
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17 and 67-151. In some embodiments, the peptide composes or consists of the ammo acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152- 326.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327- 410.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 411-435.
  • the cargo molecule of the nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a fluorescent moiety (e.g., a fluorescent protein, fluorescent peptide, or fluorophore (fluorescent dye) molecule). All fluorescent moieties are encompassed within the term “fluorescent moiety.” Specific examples of fluorescent moieties given herein, are illustrative and are not meant to limit the fluorescent moieties for use with the targeting molecules disclosed herein.
  • fluorophores include, but are not limited to, xanthenes, such as rhodamines, rhodols and fluoresceins, and their derivatives; bimanes; coumarins and their derivatives such as umbelliferone and aminomethyl coumarins; aromatic amines such as dansyl; squarate dyes; benzofurans; fluorescent cyanines; carbazoles; dicyanomethylene pyranes; polymethine; oxabenzanthrane; xanthene; pyrylium; carbostyl; perylene; acridone; quinacridone; rubrene; anthracene; coronene; phenanthrecene; pyrene; butadiene; stilbene; porphyrin; pthalocyanine; lanthanide metal chelate complexes; rare-earth metal chelate complexes; and derivatives of such dyes
  • the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of a xanthene; a bimane; a coumarin; an aromatic amines; a benzofuran; a fluorescent cyanine; a carbazole; a dicyanomethylene pyrane; polymethine; oxabenzanthrane; pyrylium; carbostyl; perylene; acridone; quinacridone; rubrene; anthracene; coronene; phenanthrecene; pyrene; butadiene; stilbene; porphyrin; pthalocyanine; lanthanide metal chelate complexes; rare-earth metal chelate complexes; FITC; Cy3; EGFP; cyan fluorescent protein (CFP); EGFP; 5-FAM; 6-FAM; FAM; fluorescein, IAEDANS, EDANS and BODIPY FL; TRITC; Cy5; Cy3;
  • the cargo molecule comprises a fluorescein dye.
  • fluorescein dyes include, but are not limited to, 5-carboxyfluorescein, fluorescein-5- isothiocyanate, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, 5,6-dicarboxyfluorescein, 5-(and 6)- sulfofluorescein, sulfonefluorescein, succinyl fluorescein, 5-(and 6)-carboxy SNARF-1, carboxyfluorescein sulfonate, carboxyfluorescein zwitterion, carboxyfluorescein quaternary ammonium, carboxyfluorescein phosphonate, carboxyfluorescein GABA, carboxyfluorescein-cys-Cy5, 5’(6’)-carboxyfluorescein, fluorescein glutathione, and 6- carboxyfluorescein; examples of other fluorescein dyes can be found, for example, in U.S.
  • the cargo molecule comprises a rhodamine dye, such as, for example, 5-(and 6)-carboxy rhodamine 110, tetramethylrhodamine-6- isothiocyanate, 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine, 5-carboxy rhodol derivatives, tetramethyl and tetraethyl rhodamine, diphenyldimethyl and diphenyldiethyl rhodamine, dinaphthyl rhodamine, rhodamine 101 sulfonyl chloride (sold under the tradename of TEXAS RED®), and other rhodamine dyes.
  • a rhodamine dye such as, for example, 5-(and 6)-carboxy rhodamine 110, tetramethylrhodamine-6- isothiocyanate, 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine, 5-
  • a cargo moiety includes a cyanine dye, such as, for example, Cy3, Cy3B, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5, Cy 7, and indocynaine green.
  • the fluorophore exhibits green fluorescence (such as for example 494 nm/519 nm), orange fluorescence (such as for example 554 nm/570 nm), red fluorescence (such as for example 590 nm/617 nm), or far red fluorescence (such as for example 651 nm/672 nm) excitation/emission spectra.
  • the fluorophore is a fluorophore with excitation and emission spectra in the range of about 350 nm to about 775 nm.
  • the excitation and emission spectra are about 346 nm/446 nm, about 494 nm/519 nm, about 554 nm/570 nm, about 555 nm/572 nm, about 590 nm/617 nm, about 651 nm/672 nm, about 679 nm/702 nm, or about 749 nm/775 nm.
  • the fluorophore can include but is not limited to AlexaFluor 3, AlexaFluor 5, AlexaFluor 350, AlexaFluor 405, AlexaFluor 430, AlexaFluor 488, AlexaFluor 500, AlexaFluor 514, AlexaFluor 532, AlexaFluor 546, AlexaFluor 555, AlexaFluor 568, AlexaFluor 594, AlexaFluor 610, AlexaFluor 633, AlexaFluor 647, AlexaFluor 660, AlexaFluor 680, AlexaFluor 700, and AlexaFluor 750 (Molecular Probes AlexaFluor dyes, available from Life Technologies, Inc.
  • the fluorophore can include but is not limited to Cy dyes, including Cy2, Cy3, Cy3B, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5 and Cy7 (available from GE Life Sciences or Lumiprobes). In some embodiments the fluorophore can include but is not limited to DyLight 350, DyLight 405, DyLight 488, DyLight 550, DyLight 594, DyLight 633, DyLight 650, DyLight 680, DyLight 750 and DyLight 800 (available from Thermo Scientific (USA)).
  • the fluorophore can include but is not limited to a FluoProbes 390, FluoProbes 488, FluoProbes 532, FluoProbes 547H, FluoProbes 594, FluoProbes 647H, FluoProbes 682, FluoProbes 752 and FluoProbes 782, AMCA, DEAC (7-Diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid); 7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin-3; 7-Hydroxycoumarin-3; MCA (7-Methoxycoumarin-4-acetic acid); 7- Methoxycoumarin-3; AMF (4'-(Aminomethyl)fluorescein); 5-DTAF (5-(4,6- Dichlorotriazinyl)aminofluorescein); 6-DTAF (6-(4,6- Dichlorotriazinyl)aminofluorescein); FAM; 6-FAM (6-Carboxyfluorescein), 5(6)-FAM
  • a cargo comprises an environmentally sensitive fluorescent dye or fluorophore.
  • environmentally sensitive fluorescent dyes or fluorophores include 5,6-carboxy-diethyl rhodol (pH sensitive), merocyanine (membrane potential sensitive), and Nile red carboxylic acid (lipid sensitive).
  • the fluorescent moiety is a peptide or protein. In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is a derivative or variant of GFP, including for example: EGFP, emerald, superfolder GFP, azami green mWasabi, TagGFP, TurboGFP, AcGFP, ZsGreen, T-Sapphire, EBFP, EBFP2, Azurite, mTagBFP, ECFP, mECFP, Cerulean, mTurquoise, CyPet, AmCyanl, Midori-Ishi Cyan, TagCFP, mTFPl (Teal), EYFP, Topaz, Venus, mCitrine, YPet, TagYFP, PhiYFP, ZsYellowl, mBanana, Kusabira Orange, Kusbira Orange2, mOrange, mOrange2, dTomato
  • GFP
  • Fluorescent moi eties are detected by any suitable method.
  • a fluorescent moiety may be detected by exciting the fluorochrome with the appropriate wavelength of light and detecting the resulting fluorescence, e.g., by microscopy, visual inspection, via photographic film, by the use of electronic detectors such as charge coupled devices (CCDs), photomultipliers, etc.
  • CCDs charge coupled devices
  • the fluorescent moiety is conjugated to high molecular weight molecule, such as water soluble polymers including, but not limited to, dextran, PEG, serum albumin, or poly(amidoamine) dendrimer.
  • high molecular weight molecule such as water soluble polymers including, but not limited to, dextran, PEG, serum albumin, or poly(amidoamine) dendrimer.
  • a cargo molecule of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a photosensitizing agent.
  • a photosensitizing agent is any agent or compound useful in light induced ablation therapy. Such agents, when exposed to a specific wavelength of light, react with molecular oxygen to produce singlet oxygen, which is highly cytotoxic.
  • targeting molecules of the present invention comprising a photosensitizing agent may be used to focally injure nerves.
  • a photosensitizing agent is a porphyrin, chlorin, or dye.
  • photosensitizing agents include porphyrin, protoporfm IX, purlytin, verteporfin, HPPH, temoporfm, methylene blue, photofrin, protofrin, hematoporphyrin, Talaporfm, benzopophyrin derivative monoacid, 5-aminileuvolinic acid, Lutetium texaphyrin, metallophthalocyanine, metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazines, metallo- naphthalocyanines, zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine, bacteriochlorins, metallochlorins, chlorine derivative, Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC), pheophorbide, dibromofluorescein (DBF), IR700DX, naphthalocyanine, and porphyrin derivatives.
  • porphyrin porphyrin, protopor
  • the photosensitizing agent is conjugated to a C-terminal cysteine residue of the human neuron or nerve targeting molecule via maleimide mediated conjugation.
  • the photosensitizing agent of the present disclosure is activated by light having a wavelength of between 400 nm to 700 nm. Still more preferably, the photosensitizing agent in the present disclosure is activated at 627 nm and 660 nm. An optimal light dose can be identified to generate maximal nerve killing with minimal injury to adjacent tissue.
  • a cargo molecule of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a drug. All drugs that act on a neuron or nerve (or a component thereof) are encompassed within the term “drug.” Specific examples of drug given herein, are illustrative and are not meant to limit the drugs for use with the targeting molecules disclosed herein.
  • the drug is selected from a drug that: induces cell death (apoptotic or necrotic), inhibits cell death (apoptotic or necrotic), inhibits the transmission of a neuron or nerve signal (i.e., an electrochemical impulse), inhibits the release of a neurotransmitter, agonizes the activity of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, partially or fully inhibits the repolarization of a neuron, disrupts the conduction of an ion channel, or a combination thereof.
  • a drug that: induces cell death (apoptotic or necrotic), inhibits cell death (apoptotic or necrotic), inhibits the transmission of a neuron or nerve signal (i.e., an electrochemical impulse), inhibits the release of a neurotransmitter, agonizes the activity of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, partially or fully inhibits the repolarization of a neuron, disrupts the conduction of an
  • the drug is an antihistamine, a GABA receptor modulator, a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor, a local anesthetic, an anticholinergic, a sodium channel blocker, a calcium channel blocker, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone, a y-secretase inhibitor, an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMP A) receptor agonist or antagonist, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMD A) receptor agonist or antagonist, an mGlu receptor agonist or antagonist, a growth factor, an antiemetic agent, a corticosteroid; a cytotoxic agent; an antioxidant, an iron chelator, a mitochondrial modulator, a sirtuin modulator, a nitric oxide (NO) and/or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) modulator, a potassium channel agonist or antagonist, a purigenic receptor agonist or antagonist, or
  • the drug is meclizine, diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, loratadine, quetiapine, mepyramine, piperoxan, antazoline, carbinoxamine, doxylamine, clemastine, pheniramine, chlorphenamine, chlorpheniramine, dexchlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, triprolidine, cyclizine, chlorcyclizine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, alimemazine, trimeprazine, cyproheptadine, azatadine, ketotifen, oxatomide, meclizine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, cinnarizine, hydroxyzine pamoate, betahistine dihydrochloride, alprazolam, bromazepam, brotizolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, est
  • JNK Inhibitor I ((L)-HIV-TAT48-57-PP- JBD20); JNK Inhibitor III ((L)-HIV-TAT47-57-gaba-c-Jun833-57); AS601245 (1,3- benzothiazol-2-yl (2-[[2-(3-pyridinyl) ethyl] amino]-4 pyrimidinyl) acetonitrile); JNK Inhibitor VI (H2N-RPKRPTTLNLF-NH2) (SEQ ID NO:711); JNK Inhibitor VIII (N-(4- Amino-5-cyano-6-ethoxypyridin-2-yl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide); JNK Inhibitor IX (N-(3-Cyano-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-l-benz
  • Aurothiomalate (ATM or AuTM); Evodiamine; Hypoestoxide; IKK Inhibitor III (BMS- 345541); IKK Inhibitor VII; IKK Inhibitor X; IKK Inhibitor II; IKK-2 Inhibitor IV;
  • IKK-2 Inhibitor V IKK-2 Inhibitor VI; IKK-2 Inhibitor (SC-514); IkB Kinase Inhibitor Peptide; IKK-3 Inhibitor IX; ARRY-797 (Array BioPharma); SB-220025 (5-(2-Amino- 4-pynmidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-(4-piperidinlyl)imidazole); SB-239063 (trans-4-[4- (4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methoxy-4-pyrimidinyl)-lH-imidazol-l-yl]cyclohexanol); SB- 202190 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)lH-imidazole); JX-401 (-[2-Methoxy-4-(methylthio)benzoyl]-4-(phenylmethyl)
  • AP23236 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AP23451 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AP23464 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AZD0530 (Astra Zeneca); AZM475271 (M475271; Astra Zeneca);
  • Dasatinib N-(2-chloro-6-methylphneyl)-2-(6-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazin-l-yl)-2- methylpyrimidin-4-ylamino) thiazole-5-carboxamide); GN963 (trans-4-(6,7- dimethoxyquinoxalin-2ylamino)cyclohexanol sulfate); Bosutinib (4-((2,4-dichloro-5- methoxyphenyl)amino)-6-methoxy-7-(3-(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl)propoxy)-3- quinolinecarbonitrile); or combinations thereof.
  • a cargo molecule comprises a radiolabel.
  • “radiolabel” refers to a moiety comprising a radioactive isotope of at least one element.
  • a radiolabel is one used in positron emission tomography (PET).
  • PET positron emission tomography
  • SPECT single-photon emission computed tomography
  • radioisotopes comprise " m Tc, in In, 64 Cu, 67 Ga, 186 Re, 188 Re, 153 Sm, 177 Lu, 67 Cu, 123 I, 124 I, 125 I, U C, 3 N, 1 5 O, 18 F, 186 Re, 188 Re, 153 Sm, 166 Ho, 177 Lu, 149 Pm, 90 Y, 213 Bi, 103 Pd, 109 Pd, 159 Gd, 140 La, 1 98 Au, 199 Au, 169 Yb, 175 Yb, 165 Dy, 166 Dy, 67 Cu, 105 Rh, m Ag, 89 Zr, 225 Ac, or 192 Ir.
  • a cargo molecule comprises a factor having neurotrophic properties (e.g., neurotrophic proteins such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (NT -4), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) as well as non-protein small molecules with neurotrophic properties).
  • neurotrophic proteins such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (NT -4), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) as well as non-protein small molecules with neurotrophic properties.
  • a cargo molecule e.g., a fluorescent moiety, photosensitizing agent, or drug
  • a cargo molecule is directly attached to the peptides disclosed herein, e.g. at the end of the targeting peptide.
  • a cargo molecule e.g., a fluorescent moiety, photosensitizing agent, or drug
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, and 67-151.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152- 326. In some embodiments, the peptide composes or consists of the ammo acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327- 410.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :411-435.
  • a “linker” is any molecule capable of binding (e.g., covalently) to a targeting molecule disclosed herein.
  • Linkers include, but are not limited to, straight or branched-chain carbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers, amino acid linkers (e.g., D- or L-amino acid), lipophilic residues, peptide linkers, peptide nucleic acid linkers, hydrazone linkers, SPDB disulfide, sulfo-SPDB, maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1- carboxylate (MCC), aminohexanoic acid linkers, and polyether linkers (e.g., PEG).
  • poly(ethylene glycol) linkers are available from Quanta Biodesign, Powell, OH. These linkers optionally have amide linkages, sulfhydryl linkages, or hetero functional linkages.
  • the linker binds to a targeting molecule disclosed herein by a covalent linkage.
  • a linker may connect a cargo molecule to the peptide by forming a covalent linkage to the cargo molecule at one location and a covalent linkage to the peptide at another location.
  • the covalent linkages can be formed by reaction between functional groups on the linker and functional groups on the peptide and on the cargo molecule.
  • the covalent linkage comprises an ether bond, thioether bond, amine bond, amide bond, carbon-carbon bond, carbon-nitrogen bond, carbon-oxygen bond, or carbon-sulfur bond.
  • the linker is flexible. In some embodiments, the linker is rigid. In some embodiments, the linker has segment(s) of flexibility and segment(s) of rigidity.
  • the linker comprises a linear structure. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a non-linear structure. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a branched structure. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a cyclic structure.
  • the linker is an alkyl. In some embodiments, the linker is heteroalkyl. In some embodiments, the linker is an alkylene. In some embodiments, the linker is an alkenylene. In some embodiments, the linker is an alkynylene. In some embodiments, the linker is a heteroalkylene.
  • alkyl refers to an aliphatic hydrocarbon group.
  • the alkyl moiety may be a saturated alkyl or an unsaturated alkyl.
  • an alkyl group can be a monoradical or a diradical (i.e., an alkylene group).
  • the “alkyl” moiety may have 1 to 10 carbon atoms (whenever it appears herein, a numerical range such as “1 to 10” refers to each integer in the given range; e.g., “1 to 10 carbon atoms” means that the alkyl group may consist of 1 carbon atom, 2 carbon atoms, 3 carbon atoms, etc., up to and including 10 carbon atoms, although the present definition also covers the occurrence of the term “alkyl” where no numerical range is designated).
  • the alkyl group could also be a “lower alkyl” having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
  • the alkyl group of the compounds described herein may be designated as “Ci-C4 alkyl” or similar designations.
  • C1-C4 alkyl indicates that there are one to four carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, i.e., the alkyl chain is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec -butyl, and t-butyl.
  • Typical alkyl groups include, but are in no way limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, and the like.
  • the linker comprises a ring structure (e.g., an aryl).
  • ring refers to any covalently closed structure. Rings include, for example, carbocycles (e.g., aryls and cycloalkyls), heterocycles (e.g., heteroaryls and non-aromatic heterocycles), aromatics (e.g. aryls and heteroaryls), and non-aromatics (e.g., cycloalkyls and non-aromatic heterocycles). Rings can be optionally substituted. Rings can be monocyclic or polycyclic.
  • aryl refers to an aromatic ring wherein each of the atoms forming the ring is a carbon atom.
  • Aryl rings can be formed by five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more than nine carbon atoms.
  • Aryl groups can be optionally substituted. Examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to phenyl, naphthalenyl, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl, fluorenyl, and indenyl.
  • an aryl group can be a monoradical or a diradical (i.e., an arylene group).
  • cycloalkyl refers to a monocyclic or polycyclic non-aromatic radical, wherein each of the atoms forming the ring (i.e. skeletal atoms) is a carbon atom. Cycloalkyls may be saturated, or partially unsaturated. Cycloalkyl groups include groups having from 3 to 10 ring atoms. Cycloalkyls include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl.
  • the ring is a cycloalkane. In some embodiments, the ring is a cycloalkene.
  • the ring is an aromatic ring.
  • aromatic refers to a planar ring having a delocalized 7t-electron system containing 4n+2 it electrons, where n is an integer. Aromatic rings can be formed from five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more than nine atoms. Aromatics can be optionally substituted.
  • aromatic includes both carbocyclic aryl (e.g., phenyl) and heterocyclic aryl (or “heteroaryl” or “heteroaromatic”) groups (e.g., pyridine).
  • the term includes monocyclic or fused-ring polycyclic (i.e., rings which share adjacent pairs of carbon atoms) groups.
  • the ring is a heterocycle.
  • heterocycle refers to heteroaromatic and heteroalicyclic groups containing one to four heteroatoms each selected from O, S and N, wherein each heterocyclic group has from 4 to 10 atoms in its ring system, and with the proviso that the ring of said group does not contain two adjacent O or S atoms.
  • Non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include groups having only 3 atoms in their ring system, but aromatic heterocyclic groups must have at least 5 atoms in their ring system.
  • the heterocyclic groups include benzo-fused ring systems.
  • An example of a 3-membered heterocyclic group is aziridinyl.
  • An example of a 4- membered heterocyclic group is azetidinyl (derived from azetidine).
  • An example of a 5- membered heterocyclic group is thiazolyl.
  • An example of a 6-membered heterocyclic group is pyridyl, and an example of a 10-membered heterocyclic group is quinolinyl.
  • non-aromatic heterocyclic groups are pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, piperidino, morpholino, thiomorpholino, thioxanyl, piperazinyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, thietanyl, homopiperidinyl, oxepanyl, thiepanyl, oxazepinyl, diazepinyl, thiazepinyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl, 2-pyrrolinyl, 3-pyrrolinyl, indolinyl, 2H-pyranyl, 4H-pyranyl, dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, pyrazolinyl, dithio
  • aromatic heterocyclic groups are pyridinyl, imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazinyl, tetrazolyl, furyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, cinnolinyl, indazolyl, indolizinyl, phthalazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, isoindolyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, furazanyl, benzofurazanyl, benzothiophenyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, quinazolinyl, quinox
  • a group derived from pyrrole may be pyrrol- 1-yl (N-attached) or pyrrol-3-yl (C-attached).
  • a group derived from imidazole may be imidazol-l-yl or imidazol-3-yl (both N-attached) or imidazol-2-yl, imidazol-4-yl or imidazol-5-yl (all C-attached).
  • a heterocycle group can be a monoradical or a diradical (i.e., a heterocyclene group).
  • the ring is fused.
  • fused refers to structures in which two or more rings share one or more bonds, hi some embodiments, the ring is a dimer. In some embodiments, the ring is a trimer. In some embodiments, the ring is a substituted.
  • Carbocyclic or “carbocycle” refers to a ring wherein each of the atoms forming the ring is a carbon atom.
  • Carbocycle includes aryl and cycloalkyl. The term thus distinguishes carbocycle from heterocycle (“heterocyclic”) in which the ring backbone contains at least one atom which is different from carbon (i.e., a heteroatom).
  • Heterocycle includes heteroaryl and heterocycloalkyl. Carbocycles and heterocycles can be optionally substituted.
  • the linker is substituted.
  • the term “optionally substituted” or “substituted” means that the referenced group may be substituted with one or more additional group(s) individually and independently selected from Cl- C6alkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C2-C6heteroalicyclic, hydroxy, Cl- C6alkoxy, aryloxy, Cl-C6alkylthio, arylthio, Cl-C6alkylsulfoxide, arylsulfoxide, Cl- C6alkylsulfone, arylsulfone, cyano, halo, C2-C8acyl, C2-C8acyloxy, nitro, Cl- C6haloalkyl, Cl-C6fluoroalkyl, and amino, including Cl-C6alkylamino, and the protected derivatives thereof.
  • the protecting groups that may form the protective derivatives of the above substituents are known to those of skill in the art.
  • a bifunctional linker having one functional group reactive with a group on one molecule (e.g., a targeting molecule), and another group reactive on the other molecule (e.g., a fluorescent moiety or a drug), is used to form the desired conjugate.
  • derivatization is performed to provide functional groups.
  • a linker may alternatively comprise a heterobifunctional crosslinker comprising two or more different reactive groups that form a heterocyclic ring that can interact with a targeting molecule.
  • a heterobifunctional crosslinker such as cysteine may comprise an amine reactive group and a thiol-reactive group can interact with an aldehyde on a derivatized targeting molecule.
  • Additional combinations of reactive groups suitable for heterobifunctional crosslinkers include, for example, amine- and sulfhydryl reactive groups; carbonyl and sulfhydryl reactive groups; amine and photoreactive groups; sulfhydryl and photoreactive groups; carbonyl and photoreactive groups; carboxylate and photoreactive groups; and arginine and photoreactive groups.
  • heterobifunctional crosslinker examples include N-Succinimidyl 4-(2-pyridyldithio)butanoate (SPDB) and maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1 -carboxylate (MCC).
  • SPDB N-Succinimidyl 4-(2-pyridyldithio)butanoate
  • MCC maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1 -carboxylate
  • a linker is cleavable. In some embodiments, the linker is non-cleavable.
  • a linker can be chemically stable to extracellular environments, for example, chemically stable in the blood stream, and/or may include linkages that are not stable.
  • a linker can include linkages that are designed to cleave and/or immolate or otherwise breakdown specifically or non-specifically inside cells.
  • a cleavable linker can be sensitive to enzymes at a specific site, such as by extracellular proteases.
  • a cleavable linker can include a valine-citrulline peptide, a valine-alanine peptide, a phenylalanine-lysine or other peptide, such as a peptide that forms a protease recognition and cleavage site.
  • a peptide-containing linker can contain a pentafluorophenyl group.
  • a peptide-containing linker can include a succimide or a maleimide group.
  • a peptide-containing linker can include a para aminobenzoic acid (PABA) group.
  • a peptide-containing linker can include an aminobenzyloxycarbonyl (PABC) group.
  • a peptide-containing linker can include a PABA or PABC group and a pentafluorophenyl group.
  • a peptide-containing linker can include a PABA or PABC group and a succinimide group.
  • a peptide-containing linker can include a PABA or PABC group and a maleimide group.
  • a non-cleavable linker is generally protease-insensitive and insensitive to intracellular processes.
  • a non-cleavable linker can include a maleimide group.
  • a non- cleavable linker can include a succinimide group.
  • a non-cleavable linker can be maleimido-alkyl-C(O)- linker.
  • a non-cleavable linker can be maleimidocaproyl linker.
  • a maleimidocaproyl linker can be N-maleimidomethylcyclohexane-l-carboxylate.
  • a maleimidocaproyl linker can include a succinimide group.
  • a maleimidocaproyl linker can include pentafluorophenyl group.
  • a peptide linker consisting of one or more amino acids is used to join the targeting molecule and a fluorescent moiety or drug.
  • the peptide linker will have no specific biological activity other than to join the molecules or to preserve some minimum distance or other spatial relationship between them.
  • the constituent amino acids of the linker may be selected to influence some property of the molecule such as the folding, net charge, or hydrophobicity.
  • the peptide linker is relatively short, typically less than about 10 amino acids, preferably less than about 8 amino acids and more preferably less than 5 amino acids.
  • Non-limiting illustrative examples include glycine and glycine-serine linkers which can be added to the C-terminus of a peptide.
  • a peptide linker comprises a cysteine residue or an unnatural amino acid residue (e.g., selenocysteine (Sec), p-acetophenylalanine (pAcF), p-azidomethyl-L-phenylalanine (pAMF), and azido-lysine (AzK)) for site specific conjugation.
  • a cysteine residue or an unnatural amino acid residue e.g., selenocysteine (Sec), p-acetophenylalanine (pAcF), p-azidomethyl-L-phenylalanine (pAMF), and azido-lysine (AzK)
  • a peptide linker is a glycine-glycine-glycine-cysteine (GGGC) (SEQ ID NO:718) linker, a glycine-glycine-cysteine (GGC) linker, a glycine-glycine (GG) linker, or a cysteine (C) linker.
  • GGGC glycine-glycine-glycine-cysteine
  • GGC glycine-glycine-cysteine
  • GG glycine-glycine-glycine linker
  • cysteine (C) linker cysteine linker.
  • the GGGC (SEQ ID NO:718), GGC, GG, or C linker is added to the N-terminus or C-terminus of a peptide.
  • the peptides of the present disclosure are optionally conjugated to high molecular weight molecules that increase the multivalency and avidity of labeling.
  • the high molecular weight molecules are water-soluble polymers.
  • suitable water-soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, peptides, saccharides, poly(vinyls), poly(ethers), poly(amines), poly(carboxylic acids) and the like.
  • the water-soluble polymers is dextran, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyoxyalkylene, polysialic acid, starch, or hydroxyethyl starch.
  • the peptide-high molecular weight molecule conjugate further comprises a cargo molecule.
  • one or more additional amino acid residues can be added to the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or both N-terminus and C-terminus of the peptides disclosed herein, thus producing a longer peptide.
  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more amino acid residues are added to the peptides disclosed herein.
  • about 1-15, 1-10, 1-5, or 1-3 amino acids are added to the peptides disclosed herein.
  • additional amino acids that are added to the peptides of the present disclosure may act as a spacer to provide a variable distance between the peptide and the cargo molecule.
  • the nerve targeting peptide conjugates of the present invention are modified to increase solubility.
  • Peptide modifications that increase solubility include addition of hydrophilic amino acid(s), a PEG moiety, or both.
  • a PEG moiety is 8-Amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (AEEA); 12- amino-4,7,10-trioxadodecanoic acid; or 15-amino-4,7,10,13-tetraoxapenta-decanoic acid.
  • hydrophilic amino acids may be added to the N-terminus, C- terminus, an internal position, or any combination thereof, of the peptide component of the nerve targeting peptide conjugate to increase solubility.
  • Hydrophilic amino acids include D, E, H, K, N, Q, R, S, T, and G.
  • the peptide comprises a K, KK, KKK, KKKK (SEQ ID NO:719), G, GG, GGG, or GGGG (SEQ ID NO:720) at the N-terminus or C-terminus.
  • compositions comprising a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions herein are formulated using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers including excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active agents into preparations which are used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen.
  • a summary of pharmaceutical compositions is found, for example, in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Nineteenth Ed (Easton, Pa.: Mack Publishing Company, 1995); Hoover, John E., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pennsylvania 1975; Liberman, H. A. and Lachman, L., Eds., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Decker, New York, N. Y., 1980; and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, Seventh Ed. (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999).
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:21-40.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, and 67-151.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152-326.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327-410.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 411-435.
  • a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent(s), excipient(s), or carrier(s).
  • the pharmaceutical compositions include other medicinal or pharmaceutical agents, carriers, adjuvants, such as preserving, stabilizing, wetting or emulsifying agents, solution promoters, salts for regulating the osmotic pressure, and/or buffers.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions also contain other therapeutically valuable substances.
  • nerve targeting peptide conjugates disclosed herein are delivered to a subject via a drug delivery vehicle or carrier.
  • a delivery vehicle is made from natural or synthetic materials or both.
  • a delivery vehicle is a nanoparticle, microparticle, polymeric micelle, nanocapsule, dendrimer, large PEG, nanogel, liposome, fullerene, nanostructured lipid carrier, nanoshell, quantum dot, protein-based nanocarriers (e.g., albumin, elastin, gliadin, legumin, zein, soy protein, milk protein, whey based nanocarriers), organic nanocarrier (e.g., gelatin, dextran, guar gum, chitosan, collagen), polysaccharide based carrier (e.g., dextran, chitosan, pectin), lipid emulsion, or a combination thereof.
  • protein-based nanocarriers e.g., albumin, elastin, gliadin, leg
  • a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is administered to a subject by any suitable administration route, including but not limited to, topical, oral, intrarectal, intravaginal, intranasal, inhalation, parenteral (intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular, intrathecal, intravitreal, infusion) administration.
  • a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is administered to a subject is administered locally or systemically.
  • a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is administered intravenously.
  • Formulations suitable for intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection include physiologically acceptable sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions, and sterile powders for reconstitution into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions.
  • suitable aqueous and non-aqueous carriers, diluents, solvents, or vehicles including water, ethanol, polyols (propylene glycol, polyethylene-glycol, glycerol, cremophor and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil) and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate.
  • Bioavailability enhancers may include penetration or permeation enhancers. See, e.g., Muheem et al., 2016, Saudi Pharm. J. 24, 413-428; Brayden et ah 2020, Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2020 May 29: SO 169-409X(20)30040-5. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.05.007. Epub ahead of print.
  • formulations suitable for subcutaneous injection also contain optional additives such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispensing agents, as are known in the art.
  • formulations suitable for intravenous injection may be prepared in aqueous solutions, such as saline buffers and other physiologically compatible buffers known in the art.
  • Parenteral injections optionally involve bolus injection or continuous infusion.
  • Formulations for injection are optionally presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multi dose containers, with an added preservative.
  • the pharmaceutical composition described herein are in a form suitable for parenteral injection as sterile suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.
  • Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of an active agent in water soluble form. Additionally, suspensions are optionally prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions.
  • a pharmaceutical composition herein is administered orally.
  • Dosage forms suitable for oral administration can be solid or liquid and may include for example, a pill, capsule, troche, tablet, caplet, gel caplet (gelcap), syrup, an aqueous suspension or solution, a chewable form, a swallowable form, a dissolvable form, an effervescent, a granulated form, and an oral liquid solution.
  • the dosage form is a solid dosage form, and more specifically, comprises a tablet or capsule, or is orally administered by a vehicle or carrier as disclosed herein.
  • the pharmaceutical composition described herein is in unit dosage forms suitable for single administration of precise dosages.
  • the formulation is divided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of an active agent disclosed herein.
  • the unit dosage is in the form of a package containing discrete quantities of the formulation.
  • Non-limiting examples are packaged tablets or capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules.
  • aqueous suspension compositions are packaged in single-dose non-reclosable containers.
  • multiple-dose reclosable containers are used, in which case it is typical to include a preservative in the composition.
  • formulations for parenteral injection are presented in unit dosage form, which include, but are not limited to ampoules, or in multi dose containers, with an added preservative.
  • the nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered via systemic intravenous injection into human patients.
  • the present disclosure provides methods of delivering a cargo molecule to a neuron or nerve, comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with the nerve targeting peptide conjugates or pharmaceutical compositions described herein. Such methods may be used to label or identify a neuron or nerve, delivery a drug to a neuron or nerve, or delivery a photosensitizing agent to a neuron or nerve.
  • the contacting occurs in vivo. In some embodiments, the contacting occurs in vitro.
  • the nerve targeting peptide conjugates are administered to a subject, as described herein, including humans and mammals (e.g., mice, rats, pigs, cats, dogs, and horses). In some embodiments, subjects are mammals. In some embodiments, subjects are primates. In some embodiments, subjects are humans. In some embodiments, human subjects are pediatric subjects (age 21 years and younger), adult subjects (age 22 years to 65 years), or geriatric subjects (age 65 years and above).
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:21-40 and 152-326. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60 and 327-410.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17 and 67-151.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152-326.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327-410.
  • the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 411-435.
  • the present disclosure provides methods of labeling or identifying a neuron or nerve (or component of either) by contacting a neuron or nerve with nerve targeting peptide conjugate described herein.
  • the cargo molecule of the nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a fluorescent moiety described herein.
  • the fluorescent moiety comprises a fluorescent protein, a fluorescent peptide, a fluorophore, or any combination thereof.
  • a nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered in combination (simultaneously, concurrently, or serially) with a fluorescent moiety (e.g., fluorescent moiety that is not conjugated to the nerve target peptide conjugate, or “free” fluorescent moiety).
  • a fluorescent moiety e.g., fluorescent moiety that is not conjugated to the nerve target peptide conjugate, or “free” fluorescent moiety.
  • the fluorescent moiety is a fluorescein, e.g., carboxyfluorescein.
  • the neuron or nerve is labeled for identification during surgery on the subject.
  • the surgery is related to a traumatic injury in the subject.
  • the surgery is related to an infection in the subject.
  • the surgery is plastic surgery e.g., cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, in the subject.
  • the surgery is head, neck, skull base, spinal, prostate, heart, kidney, hand, arm, foot, leg, lower abdominal, or gynecological surgery.
  • the surgery is cancer surgery.
  • the cancer is selected from the group consisting of prostate cancer, liver cancer (HCC), colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer, testis cancer, urothelial cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, testicular germ cell tumors, mesothelioma, and esophageal cancer.
  • the cancer is prostate cancer.
  • the method comprises administering a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein to a subject that will undergo surgery. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein to a subject that is currently undergoing surgery. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein is administered to a patient systemically, for example, by intravenous injection. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein is administered to a patient locally. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein is administered to a patient orally.
  • a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein delivers a drug to a specific target. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein delivers a drug to a neuron or nerve.
  • the drug is an agent that reduces pain (either the perception of pain or activity of a painful stimulant). In some embodiments, the drug is an anesthetic. In some embodiments, the drug is benzocaine; carticaine; cinchocaine; cyclomethycaine; lidocaine; prilocaine; propxycaine; proparacaine; tetracaine; tocainide; and trimecaine; or a combination thereof.
  • the drug is an agent that modulates death (e.g., via apoptosis or necrosis) of a neuron or nerve.
  • the drug is a cytotoxic agent.
  • the drug is methotrexate (RHEUMATREX®, Amethoptenn); cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®);thahdomide (THALIDOMID®); paclitaxel; pemetrexed; pentostatin; pipobroman; pixantrone; plicamycin; procarbazine; proteasome inhibitors (e.g.; bortezomib); raltitrexed; rebeccamycin; rubitecan; SN-38; salinosporamide A; satraplatin; streptozotocin; swainsonine; tariquidar; taxane; tegafur- uracil; temozolomide; testolactone; tbioT
  • the drug is a pro-apoptotic agent. In some embodiments, the drug is an anti-apoptotic agent. In some embodiments, the drug is selected from minocycline; SB-203580 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfmyl phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl) IH-imidazole); PD 169316 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4- nitrophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-lH-imidazole); SB 202190 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)lH-imidazole); RWJ 67657 (4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-(3- phenylpropyl)-5-(4-pyridinyl)-lH-imidazol
  • the drug is an agent that reduces undesired neuron or nerve impulses. In some embodiments, the drug reduces one or more symptoms of dyskinesia or synkinesia. In some embodiments, the drug is carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytein, valproic acid, sodium valproate, cinnarizine, flunarizine, or nimodipine, or combinations thereof.
  • the drug is an agent that promotes regeneration of neuron or nerve tissue.
  • the drug is a growth factor.
  • the drug is selected from brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); neurotrophin-3; neurotrophin-4; fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor; insulin- like growth factor (IGF); or a combination thereof.
  • BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor
  • CNTF ciliary neurotrophic factor
  • GDNF glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor
  • FGF fibroblast growth factor
  • IGF insulin- like growth factor
  • the method further comprises exposing the human neuron or nerve with a light source that activates the photosensitizing agent, wherein the activated photosensitizing agent induces ablation or killing of the human neuron or nerve.
  • a photosensitizing agent Upon exposure to a specific wavelength of light, a photosensitizing agent reacts with molecular oxygen to produce singlet oxygen, which is cytotoxic.
  • a photosensitizing agent is a porphyrin, chlorin, or dye.
  • photosensitizing agents include porphyrin, protoporfin IX, purlytin, verteporfin, HPPH, temoporfin, methylene blue, photofrin, protofrin, hematoporphyrin, Talaporfin, benzopophyrin derivative monoacid, 5-aminileuvolinic acid, Lutetium texaphyrin, metallophthalocyanine, metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazines, metallo-naphthalocyanines, zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine, bacteriochlorins, metallochlorins, chlorine derivative, Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC), pheophorbide, dibromofluorescein (DBF), IR700DX, naphthalocyanine, and porphyrin derivatives.
  • porphyrin porphyrin, protoporf
  • Human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent as disclosed herein can be used in methods of localized nerve killing in a subject.
  • human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating chronic pain (e.g., back, neck, or joint pain) in subject.
  • human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating prostate cancer in a subject.
  • Autonomic innervation may contribute to prostate cancer growth and metastasis by light induced ablation of local autonomic nerves.
  • local autonomic nerves may be a viable target for prostate cancer therapy.
  • human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating renovascular hypertension in a subject by light induced ablation of sympathetic nerves in the renal vessels.
  • human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating excessive sweating.
  • human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating cardiac arrhythmias.
  • human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating pathological muscle spasms (e.g., Meige syndrome, hemifacial spasm, torticollis).
  • a first nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered in combination (simultaneously, concurrently, or serially) with a second nerve targeting peptide conjugate.
  • the cargo molecule of the first nerve targeting peptide conjugate and the cargo molecule of the second nerve targeting peptide conjugate are each independently selected from a fluorescently moiety, drug, photosensitizing agent, neurotrophic factor, and radiolabel.
  • the cargo molecule of the first nerve targeting peptide conjugate and the cargo molecule of the second nerve targeting peptide conjugate are the same or different.
  • Phage display library screens were used to identify peptides that bind to target proteins that are expressed in human nerves and could therefore be useful for systemic in-vivo labeling of nerves during fluorescence assisted surgery. Specifically, ml3 phage libraries expressing 7 or 12 random amino acid peptides, or a cyclic peptide CX7C, on the N-terminus of the minor coat protein pill (New England Biolabs) were processed through multiple rounds of selection for binding to target proteins expressed in peripheral nerve (Table 1).
  • the library was processed through up to 4 binding and wash cycles.
  • phage libraries were incubated for up to 24 hours at 4 °C in 96 well plates that had been coated with one of the target proteins. Plates were then washed with PBS and phage were eluted using 0.2M glycine pH 2.0. Phage supernatants where then neutralized with Tris pH 9.0 prior to plating on TGI bacteria and LB agar plates. Colonies were counted to determine titer followed by DNA preparation of pools of phage and NextGen sequencing. After rounds of selection, phage were pooled and amplified for iterative selection. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection was used to isolate candidate sequences that were analyzed further to identify those that specifically bound each unique target protein.
  • DNA sequences were trimmed of all vector amino acids and imported as a peptide dataset into Power BI.
  • Power BI was used to identify phage display sequences for specific columns (corresponding to each target protein) in order to identify sequences that were distinct for each protein target.
  • the Power BI code evaluated each individual sequence for each protein target against the sequences present in other protein targets in a test for uniqueness. Using the distinct flag, the Power BI code generated a filtered peptide dataset that excluded any peptide sequence that occur in more than one column which identified a specific protein target. This method therefore identified candidate peptide sequences showing selective binding to an individual target protein.
  • Unique sequences in each column were sorted by individual counts such that the most selected sequences appeared at the top of the column. Tables 2A-2D list the top-ranked peptide sequences that, based on this analysis, showed selective binding to MPZ, MBP, PLP, and Nidogen-2, respectively.
  • EXAMPLE 2 PHAGE DISPLAY LIBRARY SCREENING - PYTHON SCRIPT ANALYSIS Phage display library screens were used to identify peptides that bind to target proteins (including specific laminin trimers) that are expressed in human nerves, as described in Table 3. These screens were also carried out to identify peptides that could bind selectively to nerves versus muscle. Such peptides could therefore be useful for systemic in-vivo labeling of nerves during fluorescence assisted surgery.
  • target proteins including specific laminin trimers
  • ml3 phage libraries expressing 7 or 12 random amino acid peptides, or a cyclic peptide CX7C, on the N-terminus of the minor coat protein pill were processed through multiple rounds of selection for binding to target proteins expressed in nerves, or to excised human nerves, nerve extracts, or muscle, as described further below.
  • the phage library was processed by up to 4 binding and wash cycles. For selection, phage libraries were incubated for up to 24 hours at 4 °C in 96 well plates that had been coated with one of the target proteins. Plates were then washed with PBS and phage were eluted using 0.2M glycine pH 2.0. Phage supernatants where then neutralized with Tris pH 9.0 prior to plating on TGI bacteria and LB agar plates. Colonies were counted to determine titer followed by DNA preparation of pools of phage and NextGen sequencing.
  • phage were pooled and amplified for iterative selection. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection was used to isolate candidate sequences that were analyzed further to identify those that specifically bound each unique target protein.
  • phage from the same libraries used for specific target proteins were used to screen against excised human nerve tissue (or nerve extracts) and human muscle tissue.
  • Excised Nerve Tissue Phage were processed through multiple cycles of selection, with representative phage being isolated and sequenced after each selection cycle. Specifically, for selection using human nerve tissue, a sample of nerve muscle tissue (2mm by 2mm) was washed prior to mixing and incubation with a phage library. After incubation, the mixture (containing mostly intact nerves with phage particles that had variable affinity for nerves) was centrifuged and the nerve pellet washed multiple times with PBS to remove phage with little or no affinity for nerve tissue. The pellet was homogenized and plated for titering and reamplification. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection were used to isolate candidate sequences that were further analyzed using bioinformatics.
  • Nerve Extracts Phage libraries were incubated for up to 24 hours at 4 °C in 96 well plates that had been coated with a human nerve extract. Plates were then washed with PBS and phage were eluted using 0.2M glycine pH 2.0. Phage supernatants where then neutralized with Tris pH 9.0 prior to plating on TGI bacteria and LB agar plates. Colonies were counted to determine titer followed by DNA preparation of pools of phage and NextGen sequencing. After rounds of selection, phage were pooled and amplified for iterative selection. Phage that eluted by 0.2M glycine pH 2.0 (the nerve binders) at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection were used to isolate candidate sequences that were further analyzed using bioinformatics.
  • Muscle Tissue Phage were processed through multiple cycles of selection, with representative phage being isolated and sequenced after each selection cycle. Specifically, for selection using human skeletal muscle tissue, a sample of skeletal muscle tissue (2mm by 2mm) was washed prior to mixing and incubation with a phage library. After incubation, the mixture (containing mostly intact muscle with phage particles that had variable affinity for muscle) was centrifuged and the muscle pellet washed multiple times with PBS to remove phage with little or no affinity for muscle tissue. The pellet was then homogenized and plated for titering and reamplification. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection were used to isolate candidate sequences that were further analyzed using bioinformatics.
  • Python Script Analysis For all NEB sequence datasets, a python script was used to translate, trim, and filter the peptide sequences. The script translated the nucleotide sequences, translating amber codons as glutamine in peptide sequences, and then trimmed the end sequences that come from the vector. Secondly, the script combined the unique counts of trimmed peptides with identical sequences.
  • the script filtered out peptide sequences that were likely artifacts or otherwise not useful: (1) peptides that had incorrect lengths for the libraries used (correct are 7, 9, or 12 amino acids long); (2) peptides that had a single or an odd number of Cysteines; (3) peptides that were truncated by stop codons (except the amber stop); and (4) unique peptide sequences that occurred less than six times in a dataset.
  • Another python script was used to group peptides from different assays according to protein target (Myelin Protein Zero, Myelin Proteolipid Protein, Myelin Basic Protein, and Nidogen-2) and also combine the unique sequence counts for each peptide.
  • An R script was written to merge the peptide sequences from different data files and determine peptides specific for each protein target but absent from different protein binding datasets. Peptide sequences were ranked by unique sequence count.
  • Tables 4A-4D list the top-ranked peptide sequences, based on these analyses, that showed selective binding to MPZ, MBP, PLP, and Nidogen-2, respectively. This analysis yielded some sequences that were previously identified in Example 1, and these are indicated by the corresponding original SEQ ID NOs from Example 1.
  • a python script was used to translate, trim, and filter the peptide sequences (see details above).
  • a python script was used to group peptides from different assays according to laminin complex binding (laminin complex 211, 411, 421, or 521) and combine the unique sequence counts for each peptide.
  • An R script was written to merge the peptide sequences from different data files and determine peptides that specifically bind one laminin complex and not the others, or that bind both laminin 421 and 521 but not 211 and 411.
  • Table 4E shows the top ranked peptide sequences, based on this analysis, showing selective binding to laminin trimers 421, 521, or both, as these forms can show preferential expression in nerve tissue.
  • NEB Tissue-Binding Peptides For all NEB sequence datasets, a python script was used to translate, trim, and filter the peptide sequences (see details above). A python script was used to group peptides from different assays according to tissue target (muscle, nerve, neuron, or nerve extract) and combine the unique sequence counts for each peptide. An R script was written to merge the peptide sequences from different data files and determine peptides that bind both neuron and nerve extracts but not muscle extracts. Peptide sequences were ranked by unique sequence count.
  • Table 4F shows the top ranked peptide sequences, based on this analysis, showing selective binding to nerves (compared to muscle).

Abstract

The present disclosure provides nerve targeting peptides, including those comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710; conjugates comprising such nerve targeting peptides and a cargo molecule; compositions comprising said peptides and conjugates; and methods of said peptides and conjugates in surgical procedures and other applications.

Description

NERVE TARGETING PEPTIDES AND METHODS OF USE
STATEMENT REGARDING SEQUENCE LISTING
The Sequence Listing associated with this application is provided in text format in lieu of a paper copy, and is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification. The name of the text file containing the Sequence Listing is 110267_404WO_Sequence_Listing.txt. The text file is 144 KB, was created on November 18, 2021, and is being submitted electronically via EFS-Web.
BACKGROUND
Preservation of human neurons and human nerves is one of the most important goals of any surgical procedure, because accidental transection of neuron or nerves leads to significant morbidity. Nerves are typically identified by their elongated whitish appearance and relationship to nearby structures or by electrophysiological studies. However, in instances such as trauma, tumor involvement, inflammation, or infection, nerve identification using these criteria can be difficult. Therefore, there is a need for methods of reliably and conclusively identifying neuron or nerves which overcome the deficiencies in the art.
One approach to neuron or nerve identification prior to direct exposure during surgery or confirmation of neuron or nerve identity in instances of uncertainty following direct exposure is electromyographic (EMG) monitoring. This technique, however, has the disadvantage of not providing visual feedback to the operating surgeon. Thus, even if a nerve has been identified in one location, either through accidental or purposeful stimulation, there is no visual guidance to the operating surgeon as to how far away from the stimulation site the nerve lies or the direction of travel the nerve takes away from the stimulation site. Furthermore, EMG only traces motor pathways, not sensory fibers. EMG fails if neuron or nerve conduction or neuromuscular transmission is temporarily blocked anywhere distal to the recording site. Such blockade easily occurs due to neuron or nerve compression, trauma, local anesthetics, or neuromuscular blockers. Other approaches include neuron or nerve labeling, which primarily depend on retrograde or anterograde tracing of individually identified axonal tracts via the use of fluorescent dyes. However, methods of labeling neuron or nerves by locally applied fluorescent tracers have several disadvantages. First, this technique can label only one neuron or nerve fiber tract at a time, depending on where the dye has been injected. Second, this technique results in only limited labeling of fluorescent dyes along the axonal tracts, because retrograde axonal tracers typically accumulate in the neural cell body. Third, retrograde transport is relatively slow (on the order of millimeters per day) and therefore takes a long time to label human neuron or nerves, which are often longer than a meter, such as in the case of the sciatic neuron or nerve and its arborizations. Fourth, the application of fluorescent dyes to innervation targets such as direct intramuscular injections to label motor neuron or nerves is typically messy with a variable amount of the tracer dye remaining at the injection site. As dissection of neuron or nerves depends on accurate visualization of adjacent structures prior to encountering them, a surgical site that is contaminated with fluorescent dyes would not be desirable. Finally, the direct injection of the fluorescent dye itself may be damaging to the target organs or neuron or nerve of interest, either by mechanical damage or by the very high local concentration of dye and vehicle at the injection site.
There has been a need in the art to identify peptides capable of binding to human nerves and neurons, in order to facilitate surgical procedures and human nerve protection. The present disclosure provides peptide sequences that selectively bind to human nerves or neurons, as well as methods of using those peptides, for example to visualize nerves during surgical procedures, or to target drugs and other agents to nerves.
BRIEF SUMMARY
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising: a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710; and a cargo molecule. In embodiments, the present disclosure provides a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising: a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66; and a cargo molecule. In embodiments, the present disclosure provides a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising: a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710 and a cargo molecule.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a drug, fluorescent moiety, or photosensitizing agent.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule is joined to the N-terminus or C- terminus of the peptide.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule is joined to the peptide via a linker.
In some embodiments, the linker is a straight or branched-chain carbon linker, heterocyclic carbon linker, amino acid linker, lipophilic residue, peptide linker, peptide nucleic acid linker, hydrazone linker, SPDB disulfide, sulfo-SPDB, maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1 -carboxylate (MCC), aminohexanoic acid linker, poly ether linker, or polyethylene glycol linker.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a fluorescent moiety.
In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is a fluorescent protein, a fluorescent peptide, a fluorophore, or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of: a xanthene; a bimane; a coumarin; an aromatic amine; a benzofuran; a fluorescent cyanine; a carbazole; a dicyanomethylene pyrane; polymethine; oxabenzanthrane; pyrylium; carbostyl; perylene; acridone; quinacridone; rubrene; anthracene; coronene; phenanthrecene; pyrene; butadiene; stilbene; porphyrin; pthalocyanine; lanthanide metal chelate complexes; rare-earth metal chelate complexes; and derivatives thereof.
In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of: 5 -carboxyfluorescein; fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; 6- carboxyfluorescein; tetramethylrhodamine-6-isothiocyanate; 5- carboxytetramethylrhodamine; 5-carboxy rhodol derivatives; tetramethyl and tetraethyl rhodamine; diphenyldimethyl and diphenyldiethyl rhodamine; dinaphthyl rhodamine; rhodamine 101 sulfonyl chloride; Cy3, Cy3B, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5, Cy 7, indocyanine green, IR800CW, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), EGFP, 6-FAM, FAM, fluorescein, 5,6-dicarboxyfluorescein, 5-(and 6)-sulfofluorescein, sulfonefluorescein, succinyl fluorescein, 5-(and 6)-carboxy SNARF-1, carboxyfluorescein sulfonate, carboxyfluorescein zwitterion, carboxyfluorescein quaternary ammonium, carboxyfluorescein phosphonate, carboxyfluorescein GABA, carboxyfluorescein-cys- Cy5, 5’(6’)-carboxyfluorescein, fluorescein glutathione, or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a photosensitizing agent.
In some embodiments, the photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: a porphyrin, chlorin, and dye.
In some embodiments, the photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: porphyrin, protoporfin IX, purlytin, verteporfin, HPPH, temoporfin, methylene blue, photofrin, protofrin, hematoporphyrin, Talaporfm, benzopophyrin derivative monoacid, 5-aminileuvolinic acid, Lutetium texaphyrin, metallophthalocyanine, metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazine, metallo- naphthalocyanines, zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine, bacteriochlorins, metallochlorins, chlorine derivative, Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC), pheophorbide, dibromofluorescein (DBF), IR700DX, naphthalocyanine, and porphyrin derivatives.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a drug.
In some embodiments, the drug is selected from the group consisting of: an antihistamine, a GABA receptor modulator, a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor, a local anesthetic, an anticholinergic, a sodium channel blocker, a calcium channel blocker, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone, a y-secretase inhibitor, an AMPA receptor agonist or antagonist, an NMD A receptor agonist or antagonist, an mGlu receptor agonist or antagonist, a growth factor, an antiemetic agent, a corticosteroid, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NS AID), an anti-epileptic agent, a neurotropic agent, a cytotoxic agent, an antioxidant, an iron chelator, a mitochondrial modulator, a sirtuin modulator, a nitric oxide (NO) and/or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) modulator, a potassium channel agonist or antagonist, a purigenic receptor agonist or antagonist, or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the drug is selected from the group consisting of: benzocaine; carticaine; cinchocaine; cyclomethycaine; lidocaine; prilocaine; propxycaine; proparacaine; tetracaine; tocainide; trimecaine; methotrexate; cyclophosphamide; thalidomide; paclitaxel; pemetrexed; pentostatin; pipobroman; pixantrone; plicamycin; platonin; procarbazine; raltitrexed; rebeccamycin; rubitecan; SN-38; salinosporamide A; satraplatin; streptozotocin; swainsonine; tariquidar; taxane; tegafur-uracil; temozolomide; testolactone; thioTEPA; tioguanine; topotecan; trabectedin; tretinoin; triplatin tetranitrate; tris(2- chloroethyl)amine; troxacitabine; uracil mustard; valrubicin; vinblastine; vincristine; vinorelbine; vorinostat; zosuquidar; carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenytein; valproic acid; sodium valproate; cinnarizine; flunarizine; nimodipine; brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); neurotrophin-3; neurotrophin-4; fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor; insulin-like growth factor (IGF); prednisone; prednisolone; dexamethasone; gabapentin; or any combination thereof.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nerve targeting peptide conjugate described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of delivering a cargo molecule to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of identifying a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of delivering a drug to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of delivering a photosensitizing agent to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Phage display screening was used to identify human nerve binding peptide sequences specific to proteins expressed in the human peripheral nerve (e.g., nidogen-2, myelin protein zero (MPZ), myelin proteolipid protein (myelin PLP), and myelin basic protein), as well as specific laminin tnmers expressed in human nerves. Peptides described herein may bind to motor, sensory and autonomic nerves. Nerve targeting peptides can be used for nerve targeting peptide conjugates comprising a nerve targeting peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1- 710; and a cargo molecule, such as a drug, fluorescent moiety, or photosensitizing agent. Nerve targeting peptide conjugates of the present disclosure may be used for delivering a cargo molecule to a neuron or nerve, identifying a neuron or nerve, delivering a drug to a neuron or nerve, or delivering a photosensitizing agent to a neuron or nerve.
The invention may be more fully appreciated by reference to the following description, including the examples. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The use of headings and subheadings provided in the sections of this specification is solely for convenience of reference and does not limit the various embodiments herein, which are to be construed by reference to the specification as a whole.
Prior to setting forth this disclosure in more detail, it may be helpful to an understanding thereof to provide definitions of certain terms to be used herein. Additional definitions are set forth throughout this disclosure.
The term “consisting essentially of’ limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. It should be understood that the terms “a” and “an” as used herein refer to “one or more” of the enumerated components. The use of the alternative (e.g., “or”) should be understood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives. As used herein, the terms “include” and “have” are used synonymously, which terms and variants thereof are intended to be construed as non-limiting. The term “comprise” means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, or components as referred to in the claims, but that it does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.
In the present description, any concentration range, percentage range, ratio range, or integer range is to be understood to include the value of any integer within the recited range and, when appropriate, fractions thereof (such as one tenth and one hundredth of an integer), unless otherwise indicated. Also, any number range recited herein relating to any physical feature, such as polymer subunits, size or thickness, are to be understood to include any integer within the recited range, unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the term "about" means ± 20% of the indicated range, value, or structure, unless otherwise indicated.
In addition, it should be understood that the individual compounds, or groups of compounds, derived from the various combinations of the structures and substituents described herein, are disclosed by the present application to the same extent as if each compound or group of compounds was set forth individually. Thus, selection of particular structures or particular substituents is within the scope of the present disclosure
As used herein, the “central nervous system” or “CNS” refers to the brain and the spinal cord, as well as the retina.
As used herein, the “peripheral nervous system” or “PNS” refers to the nerves and ganglia outside the CNS. The PNS is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system controls all voluntary muscular systems within the body, and the process of voluntary reflex arcs and is composed of afferent or sensory nerves, which relay sensation from the body to the central nervous system, and efferent or motor nerves, which send out commands from the CNS to the body, stimulating muscle contraction. The autonomic nervous system supplies smooth muscle and glands, and thus influences the function of internal organs. The autonomic nervous system acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal.
As used herein, a “neuron” refers to an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. A typical neuron possesses a cell body (often called the soma), dendrites, and an axon.
As used herein, a “nerve” refers to an enclosed, cable-like bundle of neural axons. Each nerve is a cordlike structure that contains many axons. Each axon within the nerve is an extension of an individual neuron. Within a nerve, each axon is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue called the endoneunum. The axons are bundled together into groups called fascicles, and each fascicle is wrapped in a layer of connective tissue called the perineurium. Each nerve is covered on the outside by a dense sheath of connective tissue, the epineurium.
As used herein the term “conjugate” refers to a peptide attached to at least one cargo molecule, optionally via a linker.
The terms “polypeptide,” “peptide,” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. The terms apply to naturally occurring amino acid polymers as well as amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residues is a non-naturally occurring amino acid (e.g., an amino acid analog). The terms encompass amino acid chains of any length, including full length proteins (i.e., antigens), wherein the amino acid residues are linked by covalent peptide bonds. As used herein, the term “peptide” refers to a polymer of amino acid residues typically ranging in length from 2 to about 50 residues. Where an amino acid sequence is provided herein, L-, D-, or beta amino acid versions of the sequence are also contemplated as well as retro, inversion, and retro-inversion isoforms. Peptides also include amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residues is an artificial chemical analogue of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acid polymers. In addition, the term applies to amino acids joined by a peptide linkage or by other modified linkages (e.g., where the peptide bond is replaced by an a-ester, a /3-ester, a thioamide, phosphonamide, carbamate, hydroxylate, and the like (see, e.g., Spatola, (1983) Chem. Biochem. Amino Acids and Proteins 7: 267-357), where the amide is replaced with a saturated amine (see, e.g., Skiles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,542, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Kaltenbronn et al., (1990) pp. 969-970 in Proc. 11th American Peptide Symposium, ESCOM Science Publishers, The Netherlands, and the like)).
The term “amino acid” refers to naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid mimetics that function in a manner similar to the naturally occurring amino acids. Naturally occurring amino acids are those encoded by the genetic code, as well as those amino acids that are later modified, e.g., hydroxyproline, y-carboxyglutamate, and O-phosphoserine. An amino acid may be an L- or D-amino acid. Amino acid analogs refer to compounds that have the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid, i.e., a carbon that is bound to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and an R group, e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methionine sulfoxide. Such analogs have modified R groups (e.g., norleucine) or modified peptide backbones, but retain the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid. Amino acid mimetics refers to chemical compounds that have a structure that is different from the general chemical structure of an amino acid, but that function in a manner similar to a naturally occurring amino acid.
Amino acids may be referred to herein by either their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUP AC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides, likewise, may be referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes.
One of skill will recognize that individual substitutions, deletions or additions to a peptide, polypeptide, or protein sequence which alter, add or delete a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids in the encoded sequence represent a “conservatively modified variant” where the alteration results in the substitution of an amino acid with a chemically similar amino acid. Conservative substitution tables providing functionally similar amino acids are well known in the art. Such conservatively modified variants are in addition to and do not exclude polymorphic variants, interspecies homologs, and alleles of the present disclosure.
The following eight groups each contain amino acids that are conservative substitutions for one another: 1) Alanine (A), Glycine (G); 2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E); 3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q); 4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K); 5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V); 6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W); 7) Serine (S), Threonine (T); and 8) Cysteine (C), Methionine (M) (see, e.g., Creighton, Proteins (1984)).
"Sequence identity," as used herein, refers to the percentage of amino acid residues in a single sequence that are identical with the amino acid residues in another reference polypeptide sequence after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. The percentage sequence identity values can be generated using the NCBI BLAST 2.0 software as defined by Altschul et al. (1997), Nucl. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, with the parameters set to default values.
As used herein, the terms “label” refers to a molecule that facilitates the visualization and/or detection of a targeting molecule disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the label is a fluorescent moiety.
The phrase “specifically binds” when referring to the interaction between a peptide disclosed herein and a target (e.g., purified protein, neuron or nerve tissue, neuron or nerves, cranial neuron or nerves, central neuron or nerves, myelinated or unmyelinated neuron or nerves, or connective tissue surrounding neuron or nerves), refers to the formation of a high affinity bond between the targeting molecule and the target. Further, the term means that the peptide has low affinity for non-targets.
“Selective binding,” “selectivity,” and the like refer to the preference of agent to interact with one molecule as compared to another. Preferably, interactions between a peptide disclosed herein and a target are both specific and selective. Note that in some embodiments an agent is designed to “specifically bind” and “selectively bind” two distinct, yet similar targets without binding to other undesirable targets.
The terms “individual,” “patient,” or “subject” are used interchangeably. As used herein, they mean any mammal (i.e. species of any orders, families, and genus within the taxonomic classification animalia: chordata: vertebrata: mammalia). In some embodiments, the mammal is a cow, horse, sheep, pig, cat, dog, goat, mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, non-human primate, or human. None of the terms require or are limited to a situation characterized by the supervision (e.g. constant or intermittent) of a health care worker (e.g. a doctor, a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner, a physician's assistant, an orderly, or a hospice worker).
The terms “administer,” “administering”, “administration,” and the like, as used herein, refer to the methods that may be used to enable delivery of agents or compositions to the desired site of biological action. These methods include, but are not limited to topical, oral, intrarectal, intravaginal, intranasal, inhalation, parenteral injection (e.g., intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular, intrathecal, intravitreal, infusion, or local). Administration techniques that are optionally employed with the agents and methods described herein, include e.g., as discussed in Goodman and Gilman, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, current ed.; Pergamon; and Remington's, Pharmaceutical Sciences (current edition), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. Administration of agents may be local or systemic. In some embodiments, administration is via systemic intravenous injection into human patients.
The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein, refers to a material that does not abrogate the biological activity or properties of the agents described herein, and is relatively nontoxic (i.e., the toxicity of the material significantly outweighs the benefit of the material). In some instances, a pharmaceutically acceptable material may be administered to an individual without causing significant undesirable biological effects or significantly interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the components of the composition in which it is contained.
As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” or “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, and having the properties of being nontoxic and noninflammatory in a patient. Each excipient must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the patient. Excipients may include, for example: antiadherents, antioxidants, binders, coatings, compression aids, disintegrants, dyes (colors), emollients, emulsifiers, fillers (diluents), film formers or coatings, flavors, fragrances, glidants (flow enhancers), lubricants, preservatives, printing inks, sorbents, suspending or dispersing agents, sweeteners, or waters of hydration. Examples of pharmaceutical excipients can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Water or aqueous solutions, saline solutions, and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions are preferably employed as excipients, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitable pharmaceutical excipients are described in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” by E. W. Martin.
The term “surgery” as used herein, refers to any methods for that may be used to manipulate, change, or cause an effect by a physical intervention. These methods include, but are not limited to open surgery, endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, any procedures that may affect any neuron or nerves such as placement of retractors during spinal surgery, microscopic procedures, cardiac neuron or nerve ablation, epidural injection, intrathecal injections, neuron or nerve blocks, implantation of devices such as neuron or nerve stimulators and implantation of pumps. In some embodiments, the subject of the surgery is a human subject or human patient.
I. Peptides
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides peptides that bind to proteins expressed in the human peripheral nerve that can be used in nerve targeting peptide conjugates of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the peptide ranges in length from about 5 residues to about 50 residues, about 6 residues to about 40 residues, about 7 residues to about 30 residues, about 7 residues to about 20 residues, or about 7 residues to about 15 residues. In some embodiments, the peptide ranges in length from about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 residues to about 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, or 25 residues. In some embodiments, the peptide ranges in length from about 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 residues to about 15, 20, 25 or 30 residues.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151 (MPZ binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326 (MBP binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410 (PLP binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435 (NID-2 binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642 (Laminin 421/521 binding peptides). In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710 (Nerve tissue/ extract binding peptides).
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17 and 67-151.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152- 326.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327- 410.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :411-435.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 97% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide composes the ammo acid sequence having at least 75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 97% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44- 47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44- 47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence having at least 97% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
In some embodiments, peptides of the present disclosure are acetylated at the N- terminus (“Ac” or “acetyl”), amidated at the C-terminus (“CONH2” or “NH2”), or both.
The peptides of the present disclosure may be synthesized by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the peptides are chemically synthesized, e.g., by solid phase peptide synthesis. Techniques for solid phase synthesis are described, for example, by Barany and Merrifield (1963) Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis; pp. 3-284 in The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology. Vol. 2: Special Methods in Peptide Synthesis, Part A.; Merrifield et al. (1963) J. Am. Chem. Soc, 85: 2149-2156, and Stewart et al. (1984) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd ed. Pierce Chem. Co., Rockford, 111. In some embodiments, the peptides are recombinantly produced via cell-based expression systems. A polynucleotide encoding a peptide of the present disclosure may be incorporated into a recombinant expression vector for production of the peptide in a host cell. The expression vector also comprises expression control sequences, such as a promoter, enhancer, initiation site, and the like. The polynucleotide encoding the peptide is operatively linked to at least one expression control sequence in the expression vector to direct mRNA synthesis. Host cells may be genetically engineered (transduced, transformed, or transfected) with the vectors. The vector may be in the form of a plasmid, a viral particle, a phage, etc. The engineered host cells can be cultured in appropriate media and under suitable conditions, such as temperature, pH, and the like, and for a suitable time to express a sufficient amount of the peptide. In some embodiments, the synthesized peptides are purified using methods such as preparative reversed phase chromatography, partition chromatography, gel filtration, gel electrophoresis, or ion-exchange chromatography or other methods used in the art.
II. Cargo Molecule
In some embodiments, the peptide of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate is directly bound to a cargo molecule. In some embodiments, the peptide of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate is indirectly (e.g., via a linker) bound to a cargo molecule. In some embodiments, the peptide is bound to a cargo molecule at its N-terminus, at its C -terminus, or at an internal position (e.g., to an internal amino acid) of the peptide. In some embodiments, two, three, four or more peptides are directly or indirectly bound to a cargo molecule.
In certain embodiments, a cargo molecule comprises a drug, fluorescent moiety, photosensitizing agent, radiolabel, neurotrophic factor, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a drug. In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a fluorescent moiety. In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a photosensitizing agent. In some embodiments, the peptide is bound to two or more cargo molecules. The two or more cargo molecule may be the same molecule or different molecules, or be from the same class of cargo molecule (e.g., two drugs) or from different classes of cargo molecules (e.g., one drug and one fluorescent moiety).
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17 and 67-151. In some embodiments, the peptide composes or consists of the ammo acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152- 326.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327- 410.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 411-435.
Fluorescent Moieties
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule of the nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a fluorescent moiety (e.g., a fluorescent protein, fluorescent peptide, or fluorophore (fluorescent dye) molecule). All fluorescent moieties are encompassed within the term “fluorescent moiety.” Specific examples of fluorescent moieties given herein, are illustrative and are not meant to limit the fluorescent moieties for use with the targeting molecules disclosed herein. Common classes of fluorophores (fluorescent dyes) include, but are not limited to, xanthenes, such as rhodamines, rhodols and fluoresceins, and their derivatives; bimanes; coumarins and their derivatives such as umbelliferone and aminomethyl coumarins; aromatic amines such as dansyl; squarate dyes; benzofurans; fluorescent cyanines; carbazoles; dicyanomethylene pyranes; polymethine; oxabenzanthrane; xanthene; pyrylium; carbostyl; perylene; acridone; quinacridone; rubrene; anthracene; coronene; phenanthrecene; pyrene; butadiene; stilbene; porphyrin; pthalocyanine; lanthanide metal chelate complexes; rare-earth metal chelate complexes; and derivatives of such dyes. Fluorescent dyes are discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,720; U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,487; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,295.
In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of a xanthene; a bimane; a coumarin; an aromatic amines; a benzofuran; a fluorescent cyanine; a carbazole; a dicyanomethylene pyrane; polymethine; oxabenzanthrane; pyrylium; carbostyl; perylene; acridone; quinacridone; rubrene; anthracene; coronene; phenanthrecene; pyrene; butadiene; stilbene; porphyrin; pthalocyanine; lanthanide metal chelate complexes; rare-earth metal chelate complexes; FITC; Cy3; EGFP; cyan fluorescent protein (CFP); EGFP; 5-FAM; 6-FAM; FAM; fluorescein, IAEDANS, EDANS and BODIPY FL; TRITC; Cy5; Cy3; YFP; 6-FAM; LC Red 640; Alexa Fluor 546; fluorescein; tetramethylrhodamine; Dabcyl; BODIPY FL; QSY 7, QSY 9, QSY 21 and BBQ-650 dyes.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a fluorescein dye. Typical fluorescein dyes include, but are not limited to, 5-carboxyfluorescein, fluorescein-5- isothiocyanate, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, 5,6-dicarboxyfluorescein, 5-(and 6)- sulfofluorescein, sulfonefluorescein, succinyl fluorescein, 5-(and 6)-carboxy SNARF-1, carboxyfluorescein sulfonate, carboxyfluorescein zwitterion, carboxyfluorescein quaternary ammonium, carboxyfluorescein phosphonate, carboxyfluorescein GABA, carboxyfluorescein-cys-Cy5, 5’(6’)-carboxyfluorescein, fluorescein glutathione, and 6- carboxyfluorescein; examples of other fluorescein dyes can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,379, U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,409, U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,580, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,356.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule comprises a rhodamine dye, such as, for example, 5-(and 6)-carboxy rhodamine 110, tetramethylrhodamine-6- isothiocyanate, 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine, 5-carboxy rhodol derivatives, tetramethyl and tetraethyl rhodamine, diphenyldimethyl and diphenyldiethyl rhodamine, dinaphthyl rhodamine, rhodamine 101 sulfonyl chloride (sold under the tradename of TEXAS RED®), and other rhodamine dyes. Other rhodamine dyes can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,852; U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,505; U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,087; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,409. In some embodiments, a cargo moiety includes a cyanine dye, such as, for example, Cy3, Cy3B, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5, Cy 7, and indocynaine green.
In some embodiments, the fluorophore exhibits green fluorescence (such as for example 494 nm/519 nm), orange fluorescence (such as for example 554 nm/570 nm), red fluorescence (such as for example 590 nm/617 nm), or far red fluorescence (such as for example 651 nm/672 nm) excitation/emission spectra. In some embodiments, the fluorophore is a fluorophore with excitation and emission spectra in the range of about 350 nm to about 775 nm. In some embodiments the excitation and emission spectra are about 346 nm/446 nm, about 494 nm/519 nm, about 554 nm/570 nm, about 555 nm/572 nm, about 590 nm/617 nm, about 651 nm/672 nm, about 679 nm/702 nm, or about 749 nm/775 nm.
In some embodiments, the fluorophore can include but is not limited to AlexaFluor 3, AlexaFluor 5, AlexaFluor 350, AlexaFluor 405, AlexaFluor 430, AlexaFluor 488, AlexaFluor 500, AlexaFluor 514, AlexaFluor 532, AlexaFluor 546, AlexaFluor 555, AlexaFluor 568, AlexaFluor 594, AlexaFluor 610, AlexaFluor 633, AlexaFluor 647, AlexaFluor 660, AlexaFluor 680, AlexaFluor 700, and AlexaFluor 750 (Molecular Probes AlexaFluor dyes, available from Life Technologies, Inc. (USA)). In some embodiments, the fluorophore can include but is not limited to Cy dyes, including Cy2, Cy3, Cy3B, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5 and Cy7 (available from GE Life Sciences or Lumiprobes). In some embodiments the fluorophore can include but is not limited to DyLight 350, DyLight 405, DyLight 488, DyLight 550, DyLight 594, DyLight 633, DyLight 650, DyLight 680, DyLight 750 and DyLight 800 (available from Thermo Scientific (USA)). In some embodiments, the fluorophore can include but is not limited to a FluoProbes 390, FluoProbes 488, FluoProbes 532, FluoProbes 547H, FluoProbes 594, FluoProbes 647H, FluoProbes 682, FluoProbes 752 and FluoProbes 782, AMCA, DEAC (7-Diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid); 7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin-3; 7-Hydroxycoumarin-3; MCA (7-Methoxycoumarin-4-acetic acid); 7- Methoxycoumarin-3; AMF (4'-(Aminomethyl)fluorescein); 5-DTAF (5-(4,6- Dichlorotriazinyl)aminofluorescein); 6-DTAF (6-(4,6- Dichlorotriazinyl)aminofluorescein); FAM; 6-FAM (6-Carboxyfluorescein), 5(6)-FAM cadaverine; 5-FAM cadaverine; 5(6)-FAM ethylenediamme; 5-FAM ethyl enediamme; 5-FITC (FITC Isomer I; fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate); 5-FITC cadaverin; Fluorescein- 5-maleimide; 5-IAF (5-Iodoacetamidofluorescein); 6-JOE (6-Carboxy-4',5'-dichloro- 2',7'-dimethoxyfluorescein); 5-CR1 10 (5-Carboxyrhodamine 110); 6-CR1 10 (6- Carboxyrhodamine 110); 5-CR6G (5-Carboxyrhodamine 6G); 6-CR6G (6- Carboxyrhodamine 6G); 5(6)-Carboxyrhodamine 6G cadaverine; 5(6)- Caroxyrhodamine 6G ethylenediamme; 5-ROX (5-Carboxy-X-rhodamine); 6-ROX (6- Carboxy-X-rhodamine); 5-TAMRA (5-Carboxytetramethylrhodamine); 6-TAMRA (6- Carboxytetramethylrhodamine); 5-TAMRA cadaverine; 6-TAMRA cadaverine; 5- TAMRA ethylenediamme; 6-TAMRA ethylenediamme; 5-TMR C6 maleimide; 6-TMR C6 maleimide; TR C2 maleimide; TR cadaverine; 5-TRITC; G isomer (Tetramethylrhodamine-5-isothiocyanate); 6-TRITC; R isomer (Tetramethylrhodamine- 6-isothiocyanate); Dansyl cadaverine (5-Dimethylaminonaphthalene-l-(N-(5- aminopentyl))sulfonamide); EDANS C2 maleimide; fluorescamine; NBD; and pyrromethene and derivatives thereof.
In some embodiments, a cargo comprises an environmentally sensitive fluorescent dye or fluorophore. Examples of environmentally sensitive fluorescent dyes or fluorophores include 5,6-carboxy-diethyl rhodol (pH sensitive), merocyanine (membrane potential sensitive), and Nile red carboxylic acid (lipid sensitive).
In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is a peptide or protein. In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is a derivative or variant of GFP, including for example: EGFP, emerald, superfolder GFP, azami green mWasabi, TagGFP, TurboGFP, AcGFP, ZsGreen, T-Sapphire, EBFP, EBFP2, Azurite, mTagBFP, ECFP, mECFP, Cerulean, mTurquoise, CyPet, AmCyanl, Midori-Ishi Cyan, TagCFP, mTFPl (Teal), EYFP, Topaz, Venus, mCitrine, YPet, TagYFP, PhiYFP, ZsYellowl, mBanana, Kusabira Orange, Kusbira Orange2, mOrange, mOrange2, dTomato, dTomato-Tandem, TagRFP, TagRFP-Y, DsRed, DsRed2, DsRed-Express (Tl), DsRed-Monomer, mTangerine, mRuby, mApple, mStrawberry, AsRed2, mRFPl, JRed, mCherry, HcRedl, mRaspberry, dKeima-Tandem, HcRed-Tandem, mPlum, AQ143, mKalamal, YFP, and Citrine.
Fluorescent moi eties are detected by any suitable method. For example, a fluorescent moiety may be detected by exciting the fluorochrome with the appropriate wavelength of light and detecting the resulting fluorescence, e.g., by microscopy, visual inspection, via photographic film, by the use of electronic detectors such as charge coupled devices (CCDs), photomultipliers, etc.
In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is conjugated to high molecular weight molecule, such as water soluble polymers including, but not limited to, dextran, PEG, serum albumin, or poly(amidoamine) dendrimer. Photosensitizing Agents
In some embodiments, a cargo molecule of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a photosensitizing agent. A photosensitizing agent is any agent or compound useful in light induced ablation therapy. Such agents, when exposed to a specific wavelength of light, react with molecular oxygen to produce singlet oxygen, which is highly cytotoxic. Thus, targeting molecules of the present invention comprising a photosensitizing agent may be used to focally injure nerves. In certain embodiments, a photosensitizing agent is a porphyrin, chlorin, or dye. Examples of photosensitizing agents include porphyrin, protoporfm IX, purlytin, verteporfin, HPPH, temoporfm, methylene blue, photofrin, protofrin, hematoporphyrin, Talaporfm, benzopophyrin derivative monoacid, 5-aminileuvolinic acid, Lutetium texaphyrin, metallophthalocyanine, metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazines, metallo- naphthalocyanines, zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine, bacteriochlorins, metallochlorins, chlorine derivative, Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC), pheophorbide, dibromofluorescein (DBF), IR700DX, naphthalocyanine, and porphyrin derivatives.
In some embodiments, the photosensitizing agent is conjugated to a C-terminal cysteine residue of the human neuron or nerve targeting molecule via maleimide mediated conjugation. Preferably, the photosensitizing agent of the present disclosure is activated by light having a wavelength of between 400 nm to 700 nm. Still more preferably, the photosensitizing agent in the present disclosure is activated at 627 nm and 660 nm. An optimal light dose can be identified to generate maximal nerve killing with minimal injury to adjacent tissue.
Drugs
In some embodiments, a cargo molecule of a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a drug. All drugs that act on a neuron or nerve (or a component thereof) are encompassed within the term “drug.” Specific examples of drug given herein, are illustrative and are not meant to limit the drugs for use with the targeting molecules disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, the drug is selected from a drug that: induces cell death (apoptotic or necrotic), inhibits cell death (apoptotic or necrotic), inhibits the transmission of a neuron or nerve signal (i.e., an electrochemical impulse), inhibits the release of a neurotransmitter, agonizes the activity of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, partially or fully inhibits the repolarization of a neuron, disrupts the conduction of an ion channel, or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the drug is an antihistamine, a GABA receptor modulator, a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor, a local anesthetic, an anticholinergic, a sodium channel blocker, a calcium channel blocker, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone, a y-secretase inhibitor, an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMP A) receptor agonist or antagonist, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMD A) receptor agonist or antagonist, an mGlu receptor agonist or antagonist, a growth factor, an antiemetic agent, a corticosteroid; a cytotoxic agent; an antioxidant, an iron chelator, a mitochondrial modulator, a sirtuin modulator, a nitric oxide (NO) and/or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) modulator, a potassium channel agonist or antagonist, a purigenic receptor agonist or antagonist, or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the drug is meclizine, diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, loratadine, quetiapine, mepyramine, piperoxan, antazoline, carbinoxamine, doxylamine, clemastine, pheniramine, chlorphenamine, chlorpheniramine, dexchlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, triprolidine, cyclizine, chlorcyclizine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, alimemazine, trimeprazine, cyproheptadine, azatadine, ketotifen, oxatomide, meclizine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, cinnarizine, hydroxyzine pamoate, betahistine dihydrochloride, alprazolam, bromazepam, brotizolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, loprazolam, lorazepam, lormetazepam, idazolam, nimetazepam, nitrazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, temazepam, triazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, gabapentin, pregabalin, muscimol, baclofen, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, trimipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, glycopyrrolate, homatropine, scopolamine, atropine, benzocaine, carticaine, cinchocaine, cyclomethycaine, lidocaine, prilocaine, propxycaine, proparacaine, tetracaine, tocainide, trimecaine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytein, valproic acid, sodium valproate, cinnarizine, flunarizine, nimodipine, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, amifostine (also known as WR-2721, or ETHYOL®); a carbamate compound (e.g., 2- phenyl-l,2-ethanediol monocarbomates and dicarbamates); LY450139 (hydroxylvaleryl monobenzocaprolactam); L685458 (lS-benzyl-4R[l-[l-S-carbamoyl-2- phenethylcarbamoyl)-lS-3-methylbutylcarbamoyl]-2R-hydroxy-5- phenylpentyl} carbamic acid tert-butyl ester); LY411575 (N2-[(2S)-2-(3,5- difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethanoyl]-Nl[(7S)-5-methyl-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H- dibenzo[bid]azepin-7yl]-L-alaninamide); MK-0752; tarenflurbil; BMS-299897 (2-[(lR)-
1-[[(4-chlorophenyl) sulfony](2,5-difluorophenyl)amino]ethyl]-5- fluorobenzenepropanoic acid; CNQX (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione); NBQX (2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione); DNQX (6,7- dinitroquinoxaline-2, 3-dione); kynurenic acid; 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7- sulfamoylbenzo-[fj quinoxaline; 1 -aminoadamantane; dextromethorphan; dextrorphan; ibogaine; ketamine; nitrous oxide; phencyclidine; riluzole; tiletamine; memantine; dizocilpine; aptiganel; remacimide; 7-chlorokynurenate; DCKA (5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid); kynurenic acid; 1 -aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACPC); AP7 (2-amino-7- phosphonoheptanoic acid); APV (R-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate); CPPene (3-[(R)-
2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-prop-2-enyl-l-phosphonic acid); (+)-(lS, 2S)-l-(4-hydroxy- phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-l-pro-panol; (IS, 2S)- 1 -(4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperi-dino)-l-propanol; (3R, 4S)-3-(4-(4- fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-l-yl-)-chroman-4;7-diol; (IR*, 2R*)-l-(4-hydroxy-3- memylphenyl)-2-(4-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-l-yl)-propan-l-ol-mesylate); LY389795 ((-)-2-thia-4-aminobicyclo-hexane-4,6-dicarboxylate); LY379268 ((-)-2- oxa-4-aminobicyclo-hexane-4,6-dicarboxylate); LY354740 ((+)-2-aminobicyclo- hexane-2,6dicarboxylate); DCG-IV ((2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',31- dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine); 2R,4R-APDC (2R,4R-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4- di carb oxy late); (S)-3C4HPG ((S)-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycine); (S)-4C3HPG ((S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine); L-CCG-I ((2S, 1 'S,2'S)-2- (carboxycyclopropyl)glycine); ACPT-I ((lS,3R,4S)-l-aminocyclopentane-l,3,4- tricarboxylic acid); L-AP4 (L-(+)-2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid); (S)-3,4-DCPG ((S)-3,4-dicarboxyphenylglycine); (RS)-3,4-DCPG ((RS)-3,4-dicarboxyphenylglycine); (RS)-4-phosphonophenylglycine ((RS)PPG); AMN082 (N,N'-bis(diphenylmethyl)-l,2- ethanediamine dihydrochloride); DCG-IV ((2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',3'- dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine); AMN082; brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); neurotrophin-3; neurotrophin-4; fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor; insulin-like growth factor (IGF); an aminoglycoside antibiotic (e.g., gentamicin and amikacin); a macrolide antibiotic (e.g, erythromycin); a glycopeptide antibiotic (e.g. vancomycin); salicylic acid; nicotine; Ebumamenine-14-carboxylic acid ethyl ester; sipatrigine (2-(4- Methylpiperazin-l-yl)-5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-pyrimidin-4-amine); amiloride (3,5- diamino-N- (aminoiminomethyl)-6-chloropyrazinecarbox amide hydrochloride); carbamazepine (5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide); TTX (octahydro- 12- (hydroxymethyl)-2-imino- 5,9:7,10a-dimethan o-10aH-[l,3]dioxocino[6,5- d]pyrimidine-4,7,10,ll,12-pen tol); RS100642 (l-(2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy)-2- ethylaminopropane hydrochloride); mexiletine ((1- (2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2- aminopropane hydrochloride)); QX-314 (N-(2,6- Dimethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl)triethylammonium bromide); phenytoin (5,5- diphenylimidazolidine-2, 4-dione); lamotrigine (6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-l,2,4-triazine- 3,5-diamine); 4030W92 (2,4-diamino-5-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-6- fhioromethylpyrimidine); BW1003C87 (5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl) pyrimidine-2,4- 1.1 ethanesulphonate); QX-222 (2- [(2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino]-N,N,N-trimethyl-2- oxoetha niminium chloride); ambroxol (trans-4- [ [(2- Amino-3 , 5 - dibromophenyl)methyl] amino] cyclo hexanol hydrochloride) ; R56865 (N-[ 1 -(4-(4- fluorophenoxy)butyl]-4-piperidinyl-N-methyl-2-benzo-thiazolamine); lubeluzole; ajmaline ((17R,21alpha)-ajmalan-17,21-diol); procainamide (4-amno-N-(2- diethylaminoethyljbenzamide hydrochloride); flecainide; riluzoleor; triamicinolone actenoide; Dexamethasone; promethazine; prochlorperazine; trimethobenzamide; triethylperazine; dolasetron; granisetron; ondansetron; tropisetron; and palonosetron; droperidol; meclizine; perphenazine; thiethyl perazine; domperidone; properidol; haloperidol; chlorpromazine; promethazine; prochlorperazine; metoclopramide; dronabinol; nabilone; sativex; scopolamine; dexamethasone; trimethobenzamine; emetrol; propofol; muscimol; acridine carboxamide; actinomycin; 17-N-allylamino-17- demethoxygeldanamycin; amcinonide; amsacrine; aminopterin; anthracycline; antineoplastic; antineoplaston; 5-azacytidine; azathioprine; BL22; beclometasone; bendamustine; betamethasone; biricodar; bleomycin; bortezomib; bryostatin; budesomde; busulfan; calyculin; camptothecin; capecitabine; carboplatin; chlorambucil; cisplatin; cladribine; clofarabine; cortisone acetate; cytarabine; dacarbazine; dasatinib; daunorubicin; decitabine; desonide; dexamethasone; di chloroacetic acid; discodermolide; docetaxel; doxorubicin; epirubicin; epothilone; eribulin; estramustine; etoposide; exatecan; exisulind; ferruginol; floxuridine; fludarabine; fluocinonide; fluocortolone; fluorouracil; fosfestrol; fotemustine; gemcitabine; halometasone; halcinonide; hydrocortisone; hydrocortisone acetate; hydroxyurea; IT-101; idarubicin; ifosfamide; imiquimod; irinotecan; irofulven; ixabepilone; laniquidar; lapatinib; lenalidomide; lomustine; lurtotecan; mafosfamide; masoprocol; mechlorethamine; melphalan; mercaptopurine; methylprednisone; mitomycin; mitotane; mitoxantrone; mometasone; nelarabine; nilotinib; oblimersen; oxaliplatin; PAC-I; methotrexate (RHEUMATREX®, Amethopterin); cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®) thalidomide (THALIDOMID®); paclitaxel; pemetrexed; pentostatin; pipobroman; pixantrone; plicamycin; prednisolone; prednisone; procarbazine; proteasome inhibitors (e.g.; bortezomib); raltitrexed; rebeccamycin; rubitecan; SN-38; salinosporamide A; satraplatin; streptozotocin; swainsonine; tariquidar; taxane; tegafur-uracil; temozolomide; testolactone; thioTEPA; tioguanine; topotecan; trabectedin; triamcinolone acetonide; tretinoin; triplatin tetranitrate; tris(2-chloroethyl)amme; troxacitabine; uracil mustard; valrubicin; vinblastine; vincristine; vinorelbine; vorinostat; zosuquidar; N-acetylcysteine; vitamin E; vitamin C; vitamin A; lutein; selenium glutathione; melatonin; a polyphenol; a carotenoid; coenzyme Q-IO; Ebselen (2-phenyl-l, 2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one (also called PZ 51 or DR3305); L- methionine; azulenyl nitrones; L-(+)-Ergothioneine; CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester); dimethylthiourea; dimethylsulfoxide; disufenton sodium; pentoxifylline; MCI- 186; Ambroxol; U-83836E; MitoQ (mitoquinone mesylate); Idebenone (2-(10- hydroxydecyl)-5,6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-cy cl ohexa-2,5-diene-l, 4-dione); desferri oxamine; hydroxybenzyl ethylene diamine; fullerenol-1, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate; acetylcarnitine; lipoic acid; a stilbene; a chaicone; a flavone; an isoflavone; a flavanones; an anthocyanidin; a catechin; isonicotinamide; dipyridamole; ZM 336372; camptothecin; coumestrol; nordihydroguaiaretic acid; esculetin; SRT- 1720; SRT-1460; SRT-2183; aminoguanidine; l-Amino-2-hydroxyguanidine p- toluensulfate; GED; bromocriptine mesylate; dexamethasone; SDMA; ADMA; L- NMMA; L- NMEA; D-MMA; L-NIL; L-NNA; L-NPA; L-NAME; L-VNIO; diphenyleneiodonium chloride; 2-ethyl-2-thiopseudourea; haloperidol; L-NIO; MEG; SMT; SMTC; 7-Ni; nNOS inhibitor; 1,3-PBITU; L-thiocitrulline; TRIM; MTR-105; BBS-I; BBS-2; ONO-1714; GW273629; GW 274150; PPA250; AR-R17477; AR- R18512; spiroquinazolone; 1400W; S-NC; NTG; SNP; thapsigargin; VEGF; bradykinin; ATP; sphingosine- 1 -phosphate; estrogen; angiopoietin; acetylcholine; SIN- I; GEA 3162; GEA; GEA 5024; GEA 5538; SNAP; molsidomine; CNO-4; CNO-5; DEA/NO; IPA/NO; SPER/NO; SULFI/NO; OXI/NO; DETA/NO; nicorandil; minoxidil, levcromakalim; lemakalim; cromakalim; L-735,334; retigabine; flupirtine; BMS-204352; DMP-543; linopirdine; XE991; 4- AP; 3,4-DAP; E-4031; DIDS; Way 123,398; CGS- 12066 A; dofetilide; sotalol; apamin; amiodarone; azimilide; bretylium; clofilium; tedisamil; ibutilide; sematilide; nifekalant; tamulustoxin; ATP; ADP; UTP; UDP; UDP-glucose; adenosine; 2-MESATP; 2-MESADP; ABMEATP; DATPAS; ATPrS; BZ-ATP; MRS2703; DENUFOSOL TETRASODIUM; MRS2365; MRS 2690; PSB 0474; A-317491; RO-3 (Roche); SURAMIN; PPADS; PPNDS; DIDS; pyridoxal- 5-phosphate; 5-(3-bromophenyl)-l,3-dihydro-2H-benzofuro- [3,2-e]-l,4-diazepin-2-one; cibacron blue; basilen blue; ivermectin; A-438079; A-740003; NF023; NF449; NFI 10; NF 157; MRS 2179; NF279; MRS 2211; MRS 2279; MRS 2500 tetrasodium salt; TNP- ATP; tetramethylpyrazine; Ip5I; jQy-carboxymethylene ATP; Py- chlorophosphom ethylene ATP; KN-62; spinorphin; minocycline; SB-203580 (4-(4- Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfmyl phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl) IH-imidazole); PD 169316 (4- (4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-lH-imidazole); SB-202190 (4-(4- Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)lH-imidazole); RWJ 67657 (4-[4-(4- fluorophenyl)-l-(3-phenylpropyl)-5-(4-pyridinyl)-lH-imidazol -2-yl]-3-butyn-l-ol); SB- 220025 (5-(2-Amino-4-pyrimidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-(4-piperidinlyl)imidazole); D-JNKI-I ((D)-hJIPi75-i57-DPro-DPro-(D)-HIV-T AT57-48); AM-111 (Auris);
SP600125 (anthra[l,9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one); JNK Inhibitor I ((L)-HIV-TAT48-57-PP- JBD20); JNK Inhibitor III ((L)-HIV-TAT47-57-gaba-c-Jun833-57); AS601245 (1,3- benzothiazol-2-yl (2-[[2-(3-pyridinyl) ethyl] amino]-4 pyrimidinyl) acetonitrile); JNK Inhibitor VI (H2N-RPKRPTTLNLF-NH2) (SEQ ID NO:711); JNK Inhibitor VIII (N-(4- Amino-5-cyano-6-ethoxypyridin-2-yl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide); JNK Inhibitor IX (N-(3-Cyano-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-l-benzothien-2-yl)-l-naphthamide); dicumarol (3,3 '-Methylenebis(4-hydroxycoumarin)); SC-236 (4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yljbenzene-sulfonamide); CEP- 1347 (Cephalon); CEP- 11004 (Cephalon); an artificial protein comprising at least a portion of a Bcl-2 polypeptide; a recombinant FNK; V5 (also known as Bax inhibitor peptide V5); Bax channel blocker ((±)-l-(3,6-Dibromocarbazol-9-yl)-3-piperazin-l-yl-propan-2-ol); Bax inhibiting peptide P5 (also known as Bax inhibitor peptide P5); Kp7-6; FAIM(S) (Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule-short); FAIM(L) (Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule- long); Fas:Fc; FAP-I; N0K2; F2051; F1926; F2928; ZB4; Fas M3 mAb; EGF; 740 Y- P; SC 3036 (KKHTDDGYMPMSPGVA) (SEQ ID NO:712); PI3 -kinase Activator (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.); Pam3Cys ((S)-(2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl)- N-palmitoyl-(R)-Cys-(S)-Ser(S)-Lys4-OH, trihydrochloride); Actl (NF-kB activator 1); an anti-DcB antibody; Acetyl- 11-keto-b-Boswellic Acid; Andrographolide; Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE); Gliotoxin; Isohelenin; NEMO-Binding Domain Binding Peptide (DRQIKIWFQNRRMKWKKTALDWSWLQTE) (SEQ ID NO:713); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor (6-Amino-4-(4-phenoxyphenylethylamino)quinazoline); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor II (4-Methyl-N1-(3-phenylpropyl)benzene-l,2-diamine); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor III (3-Chloro-4-nitro-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-benzamide); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor IV ((E)-2-Fluoro-4'-methoxy stilbene); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor V (5-Hydroxy-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)- IH-isoindole-1, 3-dione); NF-kB SN50 ( AAVALLPAVLLALL APVQRKRQKLMP) (SEQ ID NO:714); Oridonin;
Parthenolide; PPM- 18 (2-Benzoylamino-l,4-naphthoquinone); Rol06-9920; Sulfasalazine; TIRAP Inhibitor Peptide (RQIKIWFNRRMKWKKLQLRDAAPGGAIVS) (SEQ ID NO:715); Withaferin A; Wogonin; BAY 11-7082 ((E)3-[(4-Methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-propenenitrile); BAY 11- 7085 ((E)3-[(4-t-Butylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-propenenitrile); (E)-Capsaicin;
Aurothiomalate (ATM or AuTM); Evodiamine; Hypoestoxide; IKK Inhibitor III (BMS- 345541); IKK Inhibitor VII; IKK Inhibitor X; IKK Inhibitor II; IKK-2 Inhibitor IV;
IKK-2 Inhibitor V; IKK-2 Inhibitor VI; IKK-2 Inhibitor (SC-514); IkB Kinase Inhibitor Peptide; IKK-3 Inhibitor IX; ARRY-797 (Array BioPharma); SB-220025 (5-(2-Amino- 4-pynmidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-(4-piperidinlyl)imidazole); SB-239063 (trans-4-[4- (4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methoxy-4-pyrimidinyl)-lH-imidazol-l-yl]cyclohexanol); SB- 202190 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)lH-imidazole); JX-401 (-[2-Methoxy-4-(methylthio)benzoyl]-4-(phenylmethyl)piperidine); PD- 169316 (4-(4- Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-lH-imidazole); SKF-86002 (6-(4- Fluorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-5-(4-pyridinyl)imidazo[2,l-b]thiazole dihydrochloride); SB- 200646 (N-(I-Methyl-lH-indol-5-yl)-N'-3-pyridinylurea); CMPD-I (2'-Fluoro-N-(4- hydroxyphenyl)-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-butanamide); EO-1428 ((2-Methylphenyl)-[4-[(2- amino-4-bromophenyl)amino]-2-ch lorophenyl]methanone); SB-253080 (4-[5-(4- Fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] - lH-imidazol-4-yl]pyridine); SD-169 (lH-Indole-5-carboxamide); SB-203580 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinyl phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl) IH-imidazole); TZP-101 (Tranzyme Pharma); TZP-102 (Tranzyme Pharma); GHRP-6 (growth hormone-releasing peptide-6); GHRP-2 (growth hormone-releasing peptide-2); EX-1314 (Elixir Pharmaceuticals); MK-677 (Merck); L- 692,429 (Butanamide, 3-amino-3-methyl-N-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-l-((2'-(lH- tetrazol-5-yl)(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl)methyl)-lH-l-benzazepin-3-yl)-, (R)-); EP 1572 (Aib- DTrp-DgTrp-CHO); diltiazem; metabolites of diltiazem; BRE (Brain and Reproductive organ-Expressed protein); verapamil; nimodipine; diltiazem; omega-conotoxin; GVIA; amlodipine; felodipine; lacidipine; mibefradil; NPPB (5-Nitro-2-(3- phenylpropylamino)benzoic Acid); flunarizine; erythropoietin; pipeline; hemin; brazilin; z-VAD-FMK (Benzyloxy carbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone); z-LEHD-FMK (benzyloxy carbonyl-Leu-Glu(OMe)-His-Asp(OMe)- fluoromethylketone); B-D-FMK (boc-aspartyl(Ome)-fluoromethylketone); Ac-LEHD- CHO (N-acetyl-Leu-Glu-His-Asp-CHO) (SEQ ID NO:716); Ac-IETD-CHO (N-acetyl- Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-CHO) (SEQ ID NO:717); z-IETD-FMK (benzyloxy carbonyl-Ile- Glu(OMe)-Thr-Asp(OMe)-fluorom ethyl ketone); FAM-LEHD-FMK (benzyloxy carbonyl Leu-Glu-His-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone); FAM-LETD-FMK (benzyloxycarbonyl Leu-Glu-Thr-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone); Q-VD-OPH (Quinoline- VaI-ASp-CH2-O-Ph); XIAP; cIAP-1; cIAP-2; ML-IAP; ILP-2; NAIP; Survivin; Bruce; IAPL-3; fortilin; leupeptine; PD-150606 (3-(4-Iodophenyl)-2-mercapto-(Z)-2-propenoic acid); MDL-28170 (Z-Val-Phe-CHO); calpeptin; acetyl-calpastatin; MG 132 (N- [(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-leucyI-N-[(lS)-l-formyl-3 -methylbutyl]-L-leucinamide); MYODUR; BN 82270 (Ipsen); BN 2204 (Ipsen); AHLi-11 (Quark Pharmaceuticals), an mdm2 protein, pifithrin-a (l-(4-Methylphenyl)-2-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2-imino-3(2H)- benzothiazolyl)ethanone); trans-stilbene; cis-stilbene; resveratrol; piceatannol; rhapontin; deoxyrhapontin; butein; chalcon; isoliquirtigen; butein; 4,2',4'- trihydroxychalcone; 3,4,2',4',6'-pentahydroxychalcone; flavone; morin; fisetin; luteolin; quercetin; kaempferol; apigenin; gossypetin; myricetin; 6-hydroxyapigenin; 5- hydroxyflavone; 5,7,3',4',5'-pentahydroxyflavone; 3,7,3',4',5'-pentahydroxyflavone; 3,6,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone; 7,3',4',5'-tetrahydroxyflavone; 3, 6,2', 4'- tetrahydroxyflavone; 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone; 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxy flavone; 3,6,2', 3'- tetrahydroxyflavone; 4'-hydroxyflavone; 5-hydroxyflavone; 5,4'-dihydroxyflavone; 5,7- dihydroxyflavone; daidzein; genistein; naringenin; flavanone; 3, 5, 7,3', 4'- pentahydroxyflavanone; pelargonidin chloride; cyanidin chloride; delphinidin chloride; (-)-epicatechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3 , 5,7,3 ',4A; (-)-catechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3, 5, 7, 3', 40; (-)- gallocatechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3, 5, 7, 3 ',4', 50 (+)-catechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3 ,5,7,3 ',4A; (+)-epicatechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3,5,7,3',41J; Hinokitiol (b-Thujaplicin; 2-hydroxy-4- isopropyl-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien- 1 -one); L-(+)-Ergothioneine ((S)-a-Carboxy-2,3- dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-lH-imidazole4-ethanaminium inner salt); Caffeic Acid Phenyl Ester; MCI-186 (3-Methyl-l-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one); HBED (N,N'-Di- (2-hydroxybenzyAethylenediamine-HN'-diacetic acid«H2O); Ambroxol (trans-4-(2- Amino-3,5-dibromobenzylamino)cyclohexane-HCl; and U-83836E ((-)-2-((4-(2,6-di-l- Pyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-l-piperzainyl)methyl)-3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2H-
1-benzopyran-6-ol*2HCl); /5-1 -5-methyl-nicotinamide-2'-deoxyribose; /S-D-I '-5- methyl-nico-tinamide-2'-deoxyribofuranoside; /3-1 '-4,5-dimethyl-nicotinamide-2'-de- oxyribose; /3-D-l '-4,5-dimethyl-nicotinamide-2 '-deoxyribofuranoside; 1-Naphthyl PP 1 (1 -(1,1 -Dimethyl ethyl)-3-(l -naphthal enyl)-lH-pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine); Lavendustin A (5-[[(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)methyl][(2-hydroxyphenyl)methy l]amino]-
2-hydroxybenzoic acid); MNS (3 ,4-Methylenedioxy-b-nitrostyrene) ; PP 1 (1-(1,1- Dimethylethyl)-l-(4-methylphenyl)-lH-pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine); PP2 (3-(4- chlorophenyl) l-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-lH-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine); KX1-004 (Kinex); KX1-005 (Kinex); KX1-136 (Kinex); KX1-174 (Kinex); KX1-141 (Kinex); KX2-328 (Kinex); KX1-306 (Kinex); KX1-329 (Kinex); KX2-391 (Kinex); KX2-377 (Kinex); ZD4190 (Astra Zeneca; N-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-6-methoxy-7-(2-(lH- l,2,3-triazol-l-yl)ethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine); AP22408 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals);
AP23236 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AP23451 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AP23464 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AZD0530 (Astra Zeneca); AZM475271 (M475271; Astra Zeneca);
Dasatinib (N-(2-chloro-6-methylphneyl)-2-(6-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazin-l-yl)-2- methylpyrimidin-4-ylamino) thiazole-5-carboxamide); GN963 (trans-4-(6,7- dimethoxyquinoxalin-2ylamino)cyclohexanol sulfate); Bosutinib (4-((2,4-dichloro-5- methoxyphenyl)amino)-6-methoxy-7-(3-(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl)propoxy)-3- quinolinecarbonitrile); or combinations thereof.
Radiolabels
In some embodiments, a cargo molecule comprises a radiolabel. As used herein, “radiolabel” refers to a moiety comprising a radioactive isotope of at least one element. In some embodiments, a radiolabel is one used in positron emission tomography (PET). In some embodiments, a radiolabel is one used in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In some embodiments, radioisotopes comprise "mTc, inIn, 64Cu, 67Ga, 186Re, 188Re, 153Sm, 177Lu, 67Cu, 123I, 124I, 125I, UC, 3N, 15O, 18F, 186Re, 188Re, 153Sm, 166Ho, 177Lu, 149Pm, 90Y, 213Bi, 103Pd, 109Pd, 159Gd, 140La, 1 98 Au, 199 Au, 169 Yb, 175 Yb, 165Dy, 166Dy, 67Cu, 105Rh, mAg, 89Zr, 225 Ac, or 192Ir.
Neurotropic factors
In some embodiments, a cargo molecule comprises a factor having neurotrophic properties (e.g., neurotrophic proteins such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (NT -4), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) as well as non-protein small molecules with neurotrophic properties).
III. Linkers
In some embodiments, a cargo molecule (e.g., a fluorescent moiety, photosensitizing agent, or drug) is directly attached to the peptides disclosed herein, e.g. at the end of the targeting peptide. Alternatively, in some embodiments, a cargo molecule (e.g., a fluorescent moiety, photosensitizing agent, or drug) is indirectly attached to a peptide disclosed herein, e.g., via a linker.
In some embodiments of the nerve targeting peptide conjugates (with or without a linker) described herein, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, and 67-151.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152- 326. In some embodiments, the peptide composes or consists of the ammo acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327- 410.
In some embodiments, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :411-435.
As used herein, a “linker” is any molecule capable of binding (e.g., covalently) to a targeting molecule disclosed herein. Linkers include, but are not limited to, straight or branched-chain carbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers, amino acid linkers (e.g., D- or L-amino acid), lipophilic residues, peptide linkers, peptide nucleic acid linkers, hydrazone linkers, SPDB disulfide, sulfo-SPDB, maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1- carboxylate (MCC), aminohexanoic acid linkers, and polyether linkers (e.g., PEG). For example, poly(ethylene glycol) linkers are available from Quanta Biodesign, Powell, OH. These linkers optionally have amide linkages, sulfhydryl linkages, or hetero functional linkages.
In some embodiments, the linker binds to a targeting molecule disclosed herein by a covalent linkage. A linker may connect a cargo molecule to the peptide by forming a covalent linkage to the cargo molecule at one location and a covalent linkage to the peptide at another location. The covalent linkages can be formed by reaction between functional groups on the linker and functional groups on the peptide and on the cargo molecule. In some embodiments, the covalent linkage comprises an ether bond, thioether bond, amine bond, amide bond, carbon-carbon bond, carbon-nitrogen bond, carbon-oxygen bond, or carbon-sulfur bond.
In some embodiments, the linker is flexible. In some embodiments, the linker is rigid. In some embodiments, the linker has segment(s) of flexibility and segment(s) of rigidity.
In some embodiments, the linker comprises a linear structure. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a non-linear structure. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a branched structure. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a cyclic structure.
In some embodiments, the linker is an alkyl. In some embodiments, the linker is heteroalkyl. In some embodiments, the linker is an alkylene. In some embodiments, the linker is an alkenylene. In some embodiments, the linker is an alkynylene. In some embodiments, the linker is a heteroalkylene.
An “alkyl” group refers to an aliphatic hydrocarbon group. The alkyl moiety may be a saturated alkyl or an unsaturated alkyl. Depending on the structure, an alkyl group can be a monoradical or a diradical (i.e., an alkylene group).
The “alkyl” moiety may have 1 to 10 carbon atoms (whenever it appears herein, a numerical range such as “1 to 10” refers to each integer in the given range; e.g., “1 to 10 carbon atoms” means that the alkyl group may consist of 1 carbon atom, 2 carbon atoms, 3 carbon atoms, etc., up to and including 10 carbon atoms, although the present definition also covers the occurrence of the term “alkyl” where no numerical range is designated). The alkyl group could also be a “lower alkyl” having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The alkyl group of the compounds described herein may be designated as “Ci-C4 alkyl” or similar designations. By way of example only, “C1-C4 alkyl” indicates that there are one to four carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, i.e., the alkyl chain is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec -butyl, and t-butyl. Typical alkyl groups include, but are in no way limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, and the like.
In some embodiments, the linker comprises a ring structure (e.g., an aryl). As used herein, the term “ring” refers to any covalently closed structure. Rings include, for example, carbocycles (e.g., aryls and cycloalkyls), heterocycles (e.g., heteroaryls and non-aromatic heterocycles), aromatics (e.g. aryls and heteroaryls), and non-aromatics (e.g., cycloalkyls and non-aromatic heterocycles). Rings can be optionally substituted. Rings can be monocyclic or polycyclic.
As used herein, the term “aryl” refers to an aromatic ring wherein each of the atoms forming the ring is a carbon atom. Aryl rings can be formed by five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more than nine carbon atoms. Aryl groups can be optionally substituted. Examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to phenyl, naphthalenyl, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl, fluorenyl, and indenyl. Depending on the structure, an aryl group can be a monoradical or a diradical (i.e., an arylene group). The term “cycloalkyl” refers to a monocyclic or polycyclic non-aromatic radical, wherein each of the atoms forming the ring (i.e. skeletal atoms) is a carbon atom. Cycloalkyls may be saturated, or partially unsaturated. Cycloalkyl groups include groups having from 3 to 10 ring atoms. Cycloalkyls include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl.
In some embodiments, the ring is a cycloalkane. In some embodiments, the ring is a cycloalkene.
In some embodiments, the ring is an aromatic ring. The term “aromatic” refers to a planar ring having a delocalized 7t-electron system containing 4n+2 it electrons, where n is an integer. Aromatic rings can be formed from five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more than nine atoms. Aromatics can be optionally substituted. The term “aromatic” includes both carbocyclic aryl (e.g., phenyl) and heterocyclic aryl (or “heteroaryl” or “heteroaromatic”) groups (e.g., pyridine). The term includes monocyclic or fused-ring polycyclic (i.e., rings which share adjacent pairs of carbon atoms) groups.
In some embodiments, the ring is a heterocycle. The term “heterocycle” refers to heteroaromatic and heteroalicyclic groups containing one to four heteroatoms each selected from O, S and N, wherein each heterocyclic group has from 4 to 10 atoms in its ring system, and with the proviso that the ring of said group does not contain two adjacent O or S atoms. Non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include groups having only 3 atoms in their ring system, but aromatic heterocyclic groups must have at least 5 atoms in their ring system. The heterocyclic groups include benzo-fused ring systems. An example of a 3-membered heterocyclic group is aziridinyl. An example of a 4- membered heterocyclic group is azetidinyl (derived from azetidine). An example of a 5- membered heterocyclic group is thiazolyl. An example of a 6-membered heterocyclic group is pyridyl, and an example of a 10-membered heterocyclic group is quinolinyl. Examples of non-aromatic heterocyclic groups are pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, piperidino, morpholino, thiomorpholino, thioxanyl, piperazinyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, thietanyl, homopiperidinyl, oxepanyl, thiepanyl, oxazepinyl, diazepinyl, thiazepinyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl, 2-pyrrolinyl, 3-pyrrolinyl, indolinyl, 2H-pyranyl, 4H-pyranyl, dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, pyrazolinyl, dithianyl, dithiolanyl, dihydropyranyl, dihydrothienyl, dihydrofuranyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanyl, 3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanyl, 3H-indolyl and quinolizinyl. Examples of aromatic heterocyclic groups are pyridinyl, imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazinyl, tetrazolyl, furyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, cinnolinyl, indazolyl, indolizinyl, phthalazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, isoindolyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, furazanyl, benzofurazanyl, benzothiophenyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl, and faropyridinyl. The foregoing groups, may be C-attached or N-attached where such is possible. For instance, a group derived from pyrrole may be pyrrol- 1-yl (N-attached) or pyrrol-3-yl (C-attached). Further, a group derived from imidazole may be imidazol-l-yl or imidazol-3-yl (both N-attached) or imidazol-2-yl, imidazol-4-yl or imidazol-5-yl (all C-attached). The heterocyclic groups include benzo-fused ring systems and ring systems substituted with one or two oxo (=0) moieties such as pyrrolidin-2-one. Depending on the structure, a heterocycle group can be a monoradical or a diradical (i.e., a heterocyclene group).
In some embodiments, the ring is fused. The term “fused” refers to structures in which two or more rings share one or more bonds, hi some embodiments, the ring is a dimer. In some embodiments, the ring is a trimer. In some embodiments, the ring is a substituted.
The term “carbocyclic” or “carbocycle” refers to a ring wherein each of the atoms forming the ring is a carbon atom. Carbocycle includes aryl and cycloalkyl. The term thus distinguishes carbocycle from heterocycle (“heterocyclic”) in which the ring backbone contains at least one atom which is different from carbon (i.e., a heteroatom). Heterocycle includes heteroaryl and heterocycloalkyl. Carbocycles and heterocycles can be optionally substituted.
In some embodiments, the linker is substituted. The term “optionally substituted” or “substituted” means that the referenced group may be substituted with one or more additional group(s) individually and independently selected from Cl- C6alkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C2-C6heteroalicyclic, hydroxy, Cl- C6alkoxy, aryloxy, Cl-C6alkylthio, arylthio, Cl-C6alkylsulfoxide, arylsulfoxide, Cl- C6alkylsulfone, arylsulfone, cyano, halo, C2-C8acyl, C2-C8acyloxy, nitro, Cl- C6haloalkyl, Cl-C6fluoroalkyl, and amino, including Cl-C6alkylamino, and the protected derivatives thereof. By way of example, an optional substituents may be LSRS, wherein each Ls is independently selected from a bond, -O-, -C(=O)-, -S-, - S(=O)-, -S(O)2-, -NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, S(O)2NH-, -NHS(O)2-, -OC(O)NH-, - NHC(O)O-, -(CpC6alkyl)-, or -(C2-C6alkenyl)-; and each Rs is independently selected from H, (Cl-C4alkyl), (C3-C8cycloalkyl), heteroaryl, aryl, and Cl-C6heteroalkyl. Optionally substituted non-aromatic groups may be substituted with one or more oxo (=0). The protecting groups that may form the protective derivatives of the above substituents are known to those of skill in the art.
In some embodiments, a bifunctional linker having one functional group reactive with a group on one molecule (e.g., a targeting molecule), and another group reactive on the other molecule (e.g., a fluorescent moiety or a drug), is used to form the desired conjugate. Alternatively, in some embodiments, derivatization is performed to provide functional groups. Thus, for example, procedures for the generation of free sulfhydryl groups on peptides are also known (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,839). A linker may alternatively comprise a heterobifunctional crosslinker comprising two or more different reactive groups that form a heterocyclic ring that can interact with a targeting molecule. For example, a heterobifunctional crosslinker such as cysteine may comprise an amine reactive group and a thiol-reactive group can interact with an aldehyde on a derivatized targeting molecule. Additional combinations of reactive groups suitable for heterobifunctional crosslinkers include, for example, amine- and sulfhydryl reactive groups; carbonyl and sulfhydryl reactive groups; amine and photoreactive groups; sulfhydryl and photoreactive groups; carbonyl and photoreactive groups; carboxylate and photoreactive groups; and arginine and photoreactive groups. Examples of a heterobifunctional crosslinker include N-Succinimidyl 4-(2-pyridyldithio)butanoate (SPDB) and maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1 -carboxylate (MCC).
In some embodiments, a linker is cleavable. In some embodiments, the linker is non-cleavable. A linker can be chemically stable to extracellular environments, for example, chemically stable in the blood stream, and/or may include linkages that are not stable. A linker can include linkages that are designed to cleave and/or immolate or otherwise breakdown specifically or non-specifically inside cells. A cleavable linker can be sensitive to enzymes at a specific site, such as by extracellular proteases.
A cleavable linker can include a valine-citrulline peptide, a valine-alanine peptide, a phenylalanine-lysine or other peptide, such as a peptide that forms a protease recognition and cleavage site. Such a peptide-containing linker can contain a pentafluorophenyl group. A peptide-containing linker can include a succimide or a maleimide group. A peptide-containing linker can include a para aminobenzoic acid (PABA) group. A peptide-containing linker can include an aminobenzyloxycarbonyl (PABC) group. A peptide-containing linker can include a PABA or PABC group and a pentafluorophenyl group. A peptide-containing linker can include a PABA or PABC group and a succinimide group. A peptide-containing linker can include a PABA or PABC group and a maleimide group.
A non-cleavable linker is generally protease-insensitive and insensitive to intracellular processes. A non-cleavable linker can include a maleimide group. A non- cleavable linker can include a succinimide group. A non-cleavable linker can be maleimido-alkyl-C(O)- linker. A non-cleavable linker can be maleimidocaproyl linker. A maleimidocaproyl linker can be N-maleimidomethylcyclohexane-l-carboxylate. A maleimidocaproyl linker can include a succinimide group. A maleimidocaproyl linker can include pentafluorophenyl group.
In some embodiments, a peptide linker consisting of one or more amino acids is used to join the targeting molecule and a fluorescent moiety or drug. Generally the peptide linker will have no specific biological activity other than to join the molecules or to preserve some minimum distance or other spatial relationship between them. However, the constituent amino acids of the linker may be selected to influence some property of the molecule such as the folding, net charge, or hydrophobicity. In some embodiments the peptide linker is relatively short, typically less than about 10 amino acids, preferably less than about 8 amino acids and more preferably less than 5 amino acids. Non-limiting illustrative examples include glycine and glycine-serine linkers which can be added to the C-terminus of a peptide. In some embodiments, a peptide linker comprises a cysteine residue or an unnatural amino acid residue (e.g., selenocysteine (Sec), p-acetophenylalanine (pAcF), p-azidomethyl-L-phenylalanine (pAMF), and azido-lysine (AzK)) for site specific conjugation. In some embodiments, a peptide linker is a glycine-glycine-glycine-cysteine (GGGC) (SEQ ID NO:718) linker, a glycine-glycine-cysteine (GGC) linker, a glycine-glycine (GG) linker, or a cysteine (C) linker. In some embodiments, the GGGC (SEQ ID NO:718), GGC, GG, or C linker is added to the N-terminus or C-terminus of a peptide.
IV. Further Modifications
In some embodiments, the peptides of the present disclosure are optionally conjugated to high molecular weight molecules that increase the multivalency and avidity of labeling. In some embodiments, the high molecular weight molecules are water-soluble polymers. Examples of suitable water-soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, peptides, saccharides, poly(vinyls), poly(ethers), poly(amines), poly(carboxylic acids) and the like. In some embodiments, the water-soluble polymers is dextran, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyoxyalkylene, polysialic acid, starch, or hydroxyethyl starch. Any suitable method is used to conjugate peptides to water-soluble polymers (see, Hermanson G., Bioconjugate Techniques 2nd Ed., Academic Press, Inc. 2008). In some embodiments, the peptide-high molecular weight molecule conjugate further comprises a cargo molecule.
In some embodiments, one or more additional amino acid residues can be added to the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or both N-terminus and C-terminus of the peptides disclosed herein, thus producing a longer peptide. In some embodiments, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more amino acid residues are added to the peptides disclosed herein. In some embodiments, about 1-15, 1-10, 1-5, or 1-3 amino acids are added to the peptides disclosed herein. In some embodiments, additional amino acids that are added to the peptides of the present disclosure may act as a spacer to provide a variable distance between the peptide and the cargo molecule.
In some embodiments, the nerve targeting peptide conjugates of the present invention are modified to increase solubility. Peptide modifications that increase solubility include addition of hydrophilic amino acid(s), a PEG moiety, or both. In some embodiments, a PEG moiety is 8-Amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (AEEA); 12- amino-4,7,10-trioxadodecanoic acid; or 15-amino-4,7,10,13-tetraoxapenta-decanoic acid. In some embodiments, about one to ten (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) hydrophilic amino acids may be added to the N-terminus, C- terminus, an internal position, or any combination thereof, of the peptide component of the nerve targeting peptide conjugate to increase solubility. Hydrophilic amino acids include D, E, H, K, N, Q, R, S, T, and G. In some embodiments, the peptide comprises a K, KK, KKK, KKKK (SEQ ID NO:719), G, GG, GGG, or GGGG (SEQ ID NO:720) at the N-terminus or C-terminus.
V. Pharmaceutical Compositions
Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein. Pharmaceutical compositions herein are formulated using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers including excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active agents into preparations which are used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen. A summary of pharmaceutical compositions is found, for example, in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Nineteenth Ed (Easton, Pa.: Mack Publishing Company, 1995); Hoover, John E., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pennsylvania 1975; Liberman, H. A. and Lachman, L., Eds., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Decker, New York, N. Y., 1980; and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, Seventh Ed. (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999).
In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:21-40. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, and 67-151.
In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152-326.
In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327-410.
In some embodiments of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugates described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 411-435.
In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent(s), excipient(s), or carrier(s). In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions include other medicinal or pharmaceutical agents, carriers, adjuvants, such as preserving, stabilizing, wetting or emulsifying agents, solution promoters, salts for regulating the osmotic pressure, and/or buffers. In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions also contain other therapeutically valuable substances.
In certain embodiments, nerve targeting peptide conjugates disclosed herein are delivered to a subject via a drug delivery vehicle or carrier. In some embodiments, a delivery vehicle is made from natural or synthetic materials or both. In some embodiments, a delivery vehicle is a nanoparticle, microparticle, polymeric micelle, nanocapsule, dendrimer, large PEG, nanogel, liposome, fullerene, nanostructured lipid carrier, nanoshell, quantum dot, protein-based nanocarriers (e.g., albumin, elastin, gliadin, legumin, zein, soy protein, milk protein, whey based nanocarriers), organic nanocarrier (e.g., gelatin, dextran, guar gum, chitosan, collagen), polysaccharide based carrier (e.g., dextran, chitosan, pectin), lipid emulsion, or a combination thereof.
In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is administered to a subject by any suitable administration route, including but not limited to, topical, oral, intrarectal, intravaginal, intranasal, inhalation, parenteral (intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular, intrathecal, intravitreal, infusion) administration. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is administered to a subject is administered locally or systemically. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is administered intravenously.
Formulations suitable for intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection include physiologically acceptable sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions, and sterile powders for reconstitution into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. Examples of suitable aqueous and non-aqueous carriers, diluents, solvents, or vehicles including water, ethanol, polyols (propylene glycol, polyethylene-glycol, glycerol, cremophor and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil) and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Other commonly used surfactants, such as Tweens, Spans and other emulsifying agents or bioavailability enhancers which are commonly used in the manufacture of pharmaceutically acceptable solid, liquid, or other dosage forms may also be used for the purposes of formulation. Bioavailability enhancers may include penetration or permeation enhancers. See, e.g., Muheem et al., 2016, Saudi Pharm. J. 24, 413-428; Brayden et ah 2020, Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2020 May 29: SO 169-409X(20)30040-5. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.05.007. Epub ahead of print. Ibrahim et ah 2020, J. Pham. Sci. 28, 403-416 In some formulations, proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants. Formulations suitable for subcutaneous injection also contain optional additives such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispensing agents, as are known in the art. In embodiments, formulations suitable for intravenous injection may be prepared in aqueous solutions, such as saline buffers and other physiologically compatible buffers known in the art.
Parenteral injections optionally involve bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection are optionally presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multi dose containers, with an added preservative. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition described herein are in a form suitable for parenteral injection as sterile suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of an active agent in water soluble form. Additionally, suspensions are optionally prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions.
In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition herein is administered orally. Dosage forms suitable for oral administration can be solid or liquid and may include for example, a pill, capsule, troche, tablet, caplet, gel caplet (gelcap), syrup, an aqueous suspension or solution, a chewable form, a swallowable form, a dissolvable form, an effervescent, a granulated form, and an oral liquid solution. In a specific embodiment, the dosage form is a solid dosage form, and more specifically, comprises a tablet or capsule, or is orally administered by a vehicle or carrier as disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition described herein is in unit dosage forms suitable for single administration of precise dosages. In unit dosage form, the formulation is divided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of an active agent disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the unit dosage is in the form of a package containing discrete quantities of the formulation. Non-limiting examples are packaged tablets or capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules. In some embodiments, aqueous suspension compositions are packaged in single-dose non-reclosable containers. Alternatively, multiple-dose reclosable containers are used, in which case it is typical to include a preservative in the composition. By way of example only, formulations for parenteral injection are presented in unit dosage form, which include, but are not limited to ampoules, or in multi dose containers, with an added preservative.
In some embodiments, the nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered via systemic intravenous injection into human patients.
VI. Methods of Use
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of delivering a cargo molecule to a neuron or nerve, comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with the nerve targeting peptide conjugates or pharmaceutical compositions described herein. Such methods may be used to label or identify a neuron or nerve, delivery a drug to a neuron or nerve, or delivery a photosensitizing agent to a neuron or nerve.
In some embodiments, the contacting occurs in vivo. In some embodiments, the contacting occurs in vitro. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the nerve targeting peptide conjugates are administered to a subject, as described herein, including humans and mammals (e.g., mice, rats, pigs, cats, dogs, and horses). In some embodiments, subjects are mammals. In some embodiments, subjects are primates. In some embodiments, subjects are humans. In some embodiments, human subjects are pediatric subjects (age 21 years and younger), adult subjects (age 22 years to 65 years), or geriatric subjects (age 65 years and above).
In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66.
In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:21-40 and 152-326. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:41-60 and 327-410. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists or the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710.
In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17 and 67-151.
In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 152-326.
In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 327-410.
In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 411-435.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of labeling or identifying a neuron or nerve (or component of either) by contacting a neuron or nerve with nerve targeting peptide conjugate described herein.
In some embodiments, the cargo molecule of the nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprises a fluorescent moiety described herein. In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety comprises a fluorescent protein, a fluorescent peptide, a fluorophore, or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered in combination (simultaneously, concurrently, or serially) with a fluorescent moiety (e.g., fluorescent moiety that is not conjugated to the nerve target peptide conjugate, or “free” fluorescent moiety). In some embodiments, the fluorescent moiety is a fluorescein, e.g., carboxyfluorescein.
In some embodiments of the methods of labeling or identifying a neuron or nerve described herein, the neuron or nerve is labeled for identification during surgery on the subject. In some embodiments, the surgery is related to a traumatic injury in the subject. In some embodiments, the surgery is related to an infection in the subject. In some embodiments, the surgery is plastic surgery e.g., cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, in the subject.
In some embodiments, the surgery is head, neck, skull base, spinal, prostate, heart, kidney, hand, arm, foot, leg, lower abdominal, or gynecological surgery.
In some embodiments the surgery is cancer surgery. In some embodiments the cancer is selected from the group consisting of prostate cancer, liver cancer (HCC), colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer, testis cancer, urothelial cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, testicular germ cell tumors, mesothelioma, and esophageal cancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is prostate cancer.
In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein to a subject that will undergo surgery. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein to a subject that is currently undergoing surgery. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein is administered to a patient systemically, for example, by intravenous injection. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein is administered to a patient locally. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein is administered to a patient orally.
Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are methods of targeted drug delivery. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein delivers a drug to a specific target. In some embodiments, a nerve targeting peptide conjugate disclosed herein delivers a drug to a neuron or nerve.
In some embodiments, the drug is an agent that reduces pain (either the perception of pain or activity of a painful stimulant). In some embodiments, the drug is an anesthetic. In some embodiments, the drug is benzocaine; carticaine; cinchocaine; cyclomethycaine; lidocaine; prilocaine; propxycaine; proparacaine; tetracaine; tocainide; and trimecaine; or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the drug is an agent that modulates death (e.g., via apoptosis or necrosis) of a neuron or nerve. In some embodiments, the drug is a cytotoxic agent. In some embodiments, the drug is methotrexate (RHEUMATREX®, Amethoptenn); cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®);thahdomide (THALIDOMID®); paclitaxel; pemetrexed; pentostatin; pipobroman; pixantrone; plicamycin; procarbazine; proteasome inhibitors (e.g.; bortezomib); raltitrexed; rebeccamycin; rubitecan; SN-38; salinosporamide A; satraplatin; streptozotocin; swainsonine; tariquidar; taxane; tegafur- uracil; temozolomide; testolactone; tbioTEPA; tioguanine; topotecan; trabectedin; tretinoin; triplatin tetranitrate; tris(2-chloroethyl)amine; troxacitabine; uracil mustard; valrubicin; vinblastine; vincristine; vinorelbine; vorinostat; zosuquidar; or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the drug is a pro-apoptotic agent. In some embodiments, the drug is an anti-apoptotic agent. In some embodiments, the drug is selected from minocycline; SB-203580 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfmyl phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl) IH-imidazole); PD 169316 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4- nitrophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-lH-imidazole); SB 202190 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)lH-imidazole); RWJ 67657 (4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-(3- phenylpropyl)-5-(4-pyridinyl)-lH-imidazol -2-yl]-3-butyn-l-ol); SB 220025 (5-(2- Amino-4-pyrimidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(4-piperidinlyl)imidazole) ; D-JNKI- 1 ((D)-hJIP 175_i 57-DPrO-DPrO-(D)-HIV-TAT57-48); AM-111 (Auris); SP600125 (anthra[l,9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one); JNK Inhibitor I ((L)-HIV-T AT48-57-PP- JBD20); JNK Inhibitor III ((L)-HIV-TAT47-57-gaba-c-Jun833-57); AS601245 (1,3- benzothiazol-2-yl (2-[[2-(3-pyridinyl) ethyl] amino]-4 pyrimidinyl) acetonitrile); JNK Inhibitor VI (H2N-RPKRPTTLNLF-NH2) (SEQ ID NO:711) ; JNK Inhibitor VIII (N- (4-Amino-5-cyano-6-ethoxypyri din-2 -yl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide); JNK Inhibitor IX (N-(3-Cyano-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-l-benzothien-2-yl)-l-naphthamide); dicumarol (3,3 '-Methylenebis(4-hydroxycoumarin)); SC-236 (4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl]benzene-sulfonamide); CEP- 1347 (Cephalon); CEP- 11004 (Cephalon); an artificial protein comprising at least a portion of a Bcl-2 polypeptide; a recombinant FNK; V5 (also known as Bax inhibitor peptide V5); Bax channel blocker ((±)-l-(3,6-Dibromocarbazol-9-yl)-3-piperazin-l-yl-propan-2-ol); Bax inhibiting peptide P5 (also known as Bax inhibitor peptide P5); Kp7-6; FAIM(S) (Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule-short) ; FAIM(L) (Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule- long) ; Fas : Fc; FAP- 1 ; N0K2 ; F2051 ; Fl 926; F2928; ZB4; Fas M3 mAb; EGF; 740 Y-P; SC 3036 (KKHTDDGYMPMSPGVA) (SEQ ID NO:712); PI 3 -kinase Activator (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.); Pam3Cys ((S)-(2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl)- N-palmitoyl-(R)-Cys-(S)-Ser(S)-Lys4-OH, trihydrochloride); Actl (NF-kB activator 1); an anti-DcB antibody; Acetyl- 11-keto-b-Boswellic Acid; Andrographolide; Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE); Gliotoxin; Isohelenin; NEMO-Binding Domain Binding Peptide (DRQIKIWFQNRRMKWKKTALDWSWLQTE) (SEQ ID NO:713); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor (6-Amino-4-(4-phenoxyphenylethylamino)quinazoline); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor II (4-Methyl-Nl-(3-phenylpropyl)benzene-l,2-diamine); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor III (3-Chloro-4-nitro-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-benzamide); NF-kB Activation hihibitor IV ((E)-2-Fluoro-4'-methoxy stilbene); NF-kB Activation Inhibitor V (5-Hydroxy-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-lH-isoindole-l, 3-dione); NF-kB SN50 (AA VALLP A VLLALLAPVQRKRQKLMP) (SEQ ID NO:714); Oridonin; Parthenolide; PPM- 18 (2-Benzoylamino-l,4-naphthoquinone); Rol06-9920; Sulfasalazine; TIRAP Inhibitor Peptide (RQIKIWFNRRMKWKKLQLRDAAPGGAIVS) (SEQ ID NO:715); Withaferin A; Wogonin; BAY 11-7082 ((E)3-[(4-Methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2- propenenitrile); BAY 11-7085 ((E)3-[(4-t-Butylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-propenenitrile); (E)- Capsaicin; Aurothiomalate (ATM or AuTM); Evodiamine; Hypoestoxide; IKK Inhibitor III (BMS-345541); IKK Inhibitor VII; IKK Inhibitor X; IKK Inhibitor II; IKK-2 Inhibitor IV; IKK-2 Inhibitor V; IKK-2 Inhibitor VI; IKK-2 Inhibitor (SC-514); IkB Kinase Inhibitor Peptide; IKK-3 Inhibitor LX; ARRY-797 (Array BioPharma); SB- 220025 (5-(2-Amino-4-pyrimidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-(4-piperidinlyl)imidazole); SB-239063 (trans-4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methoxy-4-pyrimidinyl)-lH-imidazol-l- yl]cyclohexanol); SB-202190 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl) 1 H-imidazole); JX-401 (-[2 -Methoxy -4-(methylthi o)benzoyl]-4- (phenylmethyl)piperidine); PD- 169316 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4- pyridyl)-lH-imidazole); SKF-86002 (6-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-5-(4- pyridinyl)imidazo[2,l-b]thiazole dihydrochloride); SB-200646 (N-(l-Methyl-lH-indol-5- yl)-N'-3-pyridinylurea); CMPD-I (2'-Fluoro-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- butanamide); EO- 1428 ((2 -Methylphenyl)- [4- [(2-amino-4-bromophenyl)amino]-2-ch lorophenyl]methanone); SB-253080 (4-[5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazol-4-yl]pyridine); SD-169 (lH-Indole-5- carboxamide); SB-203580 (4-(4- Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfmyl phenyl)-5-(4- pyridyl) IH-imidazole); TZP-101 (Tranzyme Pharma); TZP-102 (Tranzyme Pharma); GHRP-6 (growth hormone-releasing peptide-6); GHRP-2 (growth hormone-releasing peptide-2); EX-1314 (Elixir Pharmaceuticals); MK-677 (Merck); L-692,429 (Butanamide, 3-amino-3-methyl-N-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-l-((2'-(lH-tetrazol-5- yl)(l,r-biphenyl)-4-yl)methyl)-lH-l-benzazepin-3-yl)-, (R)-); EP1572 (Aib-DTrp- DgTcp-CHO); diltiazem; metabolites of diltiazem; BRE (Brain and Reproductive organ- Expressed protein); verapamil; nimodipine; diltiazem; omega-conotoxin; GVIA; amlodipine; felodipine; lacidipine; mibefradil; NPPB (5-Nitro-2-(3- phenylpropylamino)benzoic Acid); flunarizine; erythropoietin; piperine; hemin; brazilin; z- V AD-FMK (Benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone); z-LEHD-FMK (benzyloxycarbonyl-Leu-Glu(OMe)- His-Asp(OMe)- fluoromethylketone); B-D-FMK (boc-aspartyl(Ome)-fluoromethylketone); Ac-LEHD- CHO (N-acetyl-Leu-Glu-His-Asp-CHO) (SEQ ID NO:716); Ac-IETD-CHO (N-acetyl- Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-CHO) (SEQ ID NO:717); z-IETD-FMK (benzyloxy carbonyl-Ile- Glu(OMe)-Thr-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethy Iketone); FAM-LEHD-FMK
(benzyloxy carbonyl Leu-Glu-His-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone); FAM-LETD-FMK (benzyloxy carbonyl Leu-Glu-Thr-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone) (SEQ ID NO: 721) ; Q- VD-OPH (Quinoline- Vai- ASp-CH2-O-Ph); XIAP; cIAP-1; cIAP-2; ML-IAP; ILP-2; NAIP; Survivin; Brace; IAPL-3; fortilin; leupeptine; PD- 150606 (3-(4-Iodophenyl)-2- mercapto-(Z)-2-propenoic acid); MDL-28170 (Z-Val-Phe-CHO); calpeptin; acetyl- calpastatin; MG 132 (N-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-leucyl-N-[(lS)-l-formyl-3 - methylbutyl]-L-leucinamide); MYODUR; BN 82270 (Ipsen); BN 2204 (Ipsen); AHLi- 11 (Quark Pharmaceuticals), an mdm2 protein, pifithrin-a (l-(4-Methylphenyl)-2- (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2-imino-3(2H)-benzothiazolyl)ethanone); trans-stilbene; cisstilbene; resveratrol; piceatannol; rhapontin; deoxyrhapontin; butein; chalcon; isoliquirtigen; butein; 4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone; 3,4,2',4',6'-pentahydroxychalcone; flavone; morin; fisetin; luteolin; quercetin; kaempferol; apigenin; gossypetin; myricetin; 6-hydroxyapigenin; 5-hydroxyflavone; 5,7,3',4',5'-pentahydroxyflavone; 3, 7, 3', 4', 5'- pentahydroxyflavone; 3,6,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone; 7,3',4',5'-tetrahydroxyflavone; 3, 6, 2', 4 '-tetrahydroxyflavone; 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone; 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone; 3,6,2',3'-tetrahydroxyflavone; 4'-hydroxyflavone; 5-hydroxyflavone; 5,4'- dihydroxyflavone; 5,7-dihydroxyflavone; daidzein; gemstein; nanngenin; flavanone; 3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavanone; pelargonidin chloride; cyanidin chloride; delphinidin chloride; (-)-epicatechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3, 5, 7, 3', 4); (-)-catechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3, 5, 7, 3', 4); (-)-gallocatechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3, 5, 7, 3', 4', 5) (+)-catechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3, 5, 7, 3', 4); (+)-epicatechin (Hydroxy Sites: 3, 5, 7, 3', 4); Hinokitiol (b-Thujaplicin; 2- hydroxy-4-isopropyl-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-l-one); L-(+)-Ergothioneine ((S)-a-Carboxy- 2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-lH-iniidazole4-ethanaminium inner salt); Caffeic Acid Phenyl Ester; MCI-186 (3-Methyl-l-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one); HBED (N,N'-Di-(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid*H2O); Ambroxol (trans-4-(2-Amino-3,5-dibromobenzylamino)cyclohexane-HCl; and U-83836E ((-)-2- ((4-(2,6-di-l-Pyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-l-piperzainyl)methyl)-3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8- tetramethyl-2H- 1 -benzopyran-6-ol»2HCl); P- 1 -5-methyl-nicotinamide-2 '-deoxyribose; /3-D- r-5-methyl-nico-tinamide-2'-deoxyribofuranoside; /3-l'-4,5-dimethyl- nicotinamide-2'-de-oxyribose; /3-D-l '-4,5-dimethyl-nicotmamide-2'- deoxyribofuranoside; 1-Naphthyl PPI (l-(l,l-Dimethylethyl)-3-(l-naphthalenyl)-lH- pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine); Lavendustin A (5-[[(2,5- Dihydroxyphenyl)methyl][(2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl] amino] -2-hydroxybenzoic acid); MNS (3,4-Methylenedioxy-b-nitrostyrene); PPI (l-(l,l-Dimethylethyl)-l-(4- methylphenyl)-lH- pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine); PP2 (3-(4-chlorophenyl) 1-(1,1- dimethylethyl)-lH-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine); KX1-004 (Kinex); KX1-005 (Kinex); KX1-136 (Kinex); KX1-174 (Kinex); KX1-141 (Kinex); KX2-328 (Kinex); KX1-306 (Kinex); KX1-329 (Kinex); KX2-391 (Kinex); KX2-377 (Kinex); ZD4190 (Astra Zeneca; N-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-6-methoxy-7-(2-(lH-l ,2,3-triazol-l- yl)ethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine); AP22408 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AP23236 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AP23451 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AP23464 (Ariad Pharmaceuticals); AZD0530 (Astra Zeneca); AZM475271 (M475271; Astra Zeneca); Dasatinib (N-(2-chloro-6-methylphneyl)-2-(6-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazin-l-yl)-2- methylpyrimidin-4-ylamino) thiazole-5-carboxamide); GN963 (trans-4-(6,7- dimethoxyquinoxalin-2ylamino)cyclohexanol sulfate); Bosutinib (4-((2,4-dichloro-5- methoxyphenyl)amino)-6-methoxy-7-(3-(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl)propoxy)-3- quinolinecarbonitrile); or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the drug is an agent that reduces undesired neuron or nerve impulses. In some embodiments, the drug reduces one or more symptoms of dyskinesia or synkinesia. In some embodiments, the drug is carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytein, valproic acid, sodium valproate, cinnarizine, flunarizine, or nimodipine, or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the drug is an agent that promotes regeneration of neuron or nerve tissue. In some embodiments, the drug is a growth factor. In some embodiments, the drug is selected from brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); neurotrophin-3; neurotrophin-4; fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor; insulin- like growth factor (IGF); or a combination thereof.
Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are methods of delivering a photosensitizing agent to a human neuron or nerve comprising: contacting the human neuron or nerve with a nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising (a) a nerve targeting peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1- 706, and (b) a photosensitizing agent. In some embodiments, the method further comprises exposing the human neuron or nerve with a light source that activates the photosensitizing agent, wherein the activated photosensitizing agent induces ablation or killing of the human neuron or nerve. Upon exposure to a specific wavelength of light, a photosensitizing agent reacts with molecular oxygen to produce singlet oxygen, which is cytotoxic. In certain embodiments, a photosensitizing agent is a porphyrin, chlorin, or dye. Examples of photosensitizing agents include porphyrin, protoporfin IX, purlytin, verteporfin, HPPH, temoporfin, methylene blue, photofrin, protofrin, hematoporphyrin, Talaporfin, benzopophyrin derivative monoacid, 5-aminileuvolinic acid, Lutetium texaphyrin, metallophthalocyanine, metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazines, metallo-naphthalocyanines, zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine, bacteriochlorins, metallochlorins, chlorine derivative, Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC), pheophorbide, dibromofluorescein (DBF), IR700DX, naphthalocyanine, and porphyrin derivatives.
Human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent as disclosed herein can be used in methods of localized nerve killing in a subject. In some embodiments, human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating chronic pain (e.g., back, neck, or joint pain) in subject. In some embodiments, human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating prostate cancer in a subject. Autonomic innervation may contribute to prostate cancer growth and metastasis by light induced ablation of local autonomic nerves. Thus local autonomic nerves may be a viable target for prostate cancer therapy. In some embodiments, human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating renovascular hypertension in a subject by light induced ablation of sympathetic nerves in the renal vessels. In some embodiments, human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating excessive sweating. In some embodiments, human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating cardiac arrhythmias. In some embodiments, human neuron or nerve targeting molecules comprising a photosensitizing agent are used for treating pathological muscle spasms (e.g., Meige syndrome, hemifacial spasm, torticollis).
In some embodiments, a first nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered in combination (simultaneously, concurrently, or serially) with a second nerve targeting peptide conjugate. In yet further embodiments, the cargo molecule of the first nerve targeting peptide conjugate and the cargo molecule of the second nerve targeting peptide conjugate are each independently selected from a fluorescently moiety, drug, photosensitizing agent, neurotrophic factor, and radiolabel. In some embodiments, the cargo molecule of the first nerve targeting peptide conjugate and the cargo molecule of the second nerve targeting peptide conjugate are the same or different.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1 : PHAGE DISPLAY LIBRARY SCREENING - POWER Bl ANALYSIS
Phage display library screens were used to identify peptides that bind to target proteins that are expressed in human nerves and could therefore be useful for systemic in-vivo labeling of nerves during fluorescence assisted surgery. Specifically, ml3 phage libraries expressing 7 or 12 random amino acid peptides, or a cyclic peptide CX7C, on the N-terminus of the minor coat protein pill (New England Biolabs) were processed through multiple rounds of selection for binding to target proteins expressed in peripheral nerve (Table 1).
Table 1
Figure imgf000054_0001
The library was processed through up to 4 binding and wash cycles. For selection, phage libraries were incubated for up to 24 hours at 4 °C in 96 well plates that had been coated with one of the target proteins. Plates were then washed with PBS and phage were eluted using 0.2M glycine pH 2.0. Phage supernatants where then neutralized with Tris pH 9.0 prior to plating on TGI bacteria and LB agar plates. Colonies were counted to determine titer followed by DNA preparation of pools of phage and NextGen sequencing. After rounds of selection, phage were pooled and amplified for iterative selection. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection was used to isolate candidate sequences that were analyzed further to identify those that specifically bound each unique target protein.
DNA sequences were trimmed of all vector amino acids and imported as a peptide dataset into Power BI. Power BI was used to identify phage display sequences for specific columns (corresponding to each target protein) in order to identify sequences that were distinct for each protein target. The Power BI code evaluated each individual sequence for each protein target against the sequences present in other protein targets in a test for uniqueness. Using the distinct flag, the Power BI code generated a filtered peptide dataset that excluded any peptide sequence that occur in more than one column which identified a specific protein target. This method therefore identified candidate peptide sequences showing selective binding to an individual target protein. Unique sequences in each column were sorted by individual counts such that the most selected sequences appeared at the top of the column. Tables 2A-2D list the top-ranked peptide sequences that, based on this analysis, showed selective binding to MPZ, MBP, PLP, and Nidogen-2, respectively.
Table 2A
Figure imgf000055_0001
Table 2B
Figure imgf000056_0001
Table 2C
Figure imgf000056_0002
Figure imgf000057_0001
Table 2D
Figure imgf000057_0002
EXAMPLE 2: PHAGE DISPLAY LIBRARY SCREENING - PYTHON SCRIPT ANALYSIS Phage display library screens were used to identify peptides that bind to target proteins (including specific laminin trimers) that are expressed in human nerves, as described in Table 3. These screens were also carried out to identify peptides that could bind selectively to nerves versus muscle. Such peptides could therefore be useful for systemic in-vivo labeling of nerves during fluorescence assisted surgery. Specifically, ml3 phage libraries expressing 7 or 12 random amino acid peptides, or a cyclic peptide CX7C, on the N-terminus of the minor coat protein pill (New England Biolabs; NEB) were processed through multiple rounds of selection for binding to target proteins expressed in nerves, or to excised human nerves, nerve extracts, or muscle, as described further below.
Table 3
Figure imgf000058_0001
Screening Target Protein Screening
For screening against the specified target proteins in Table 1, including LN211, LN411, LN421, and LN521, the phage library was processed by up to 4 binding and wash cycles. For selection, phage libraries were incubated for up to 24 hours at 4 °C in 96 well plates that had been coated with one of the target proteins. Plates were then washed with PBS and phage were eluted using 0.2M glycine pH 2.0. Phage supernatants where then neutralized with Tris pH 9.0 prior to plating on TGI bacteria and LB agar plates. Colonies were counted to determine titer followed by DNA preparation of pools of phage and NextGen sequencing. After rounds of selection, phage were pooled and amplified for iterative selection. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection was used to isolate candidate sequences that were analyzed further to identify those that specifically bound each unique target protein.
Nerve and Muscle Tissue Screening
To identify peptides selective for nerves versus muscle, phage from the same libraries used for specific target proteins were used to screen against excised human nerve tissue (or nerve extracts) and human muscle tissue.
Excised Nerve Tissue: Phage were processed through multiple cycles of selection, with representative phage being isolated and sequenced after each selection cycle. Specifically, for selection using human nerve tissue, a sample of nerve muscle tissue (2mm by 2mm) was washed prior to mixing and incubation with a phage library. After incubation, the mixture (containing mostly intact nerves with phage particles that had variable affinity for nerves) was centrifuged and the nerve pellet washed multiple times with PBS to remove phage with little or no affinity for nerve tissue. The pellet was homogenized and plated for titering and reamplification. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection were used to isolate candidate sequences that were further analyzed using bioinformatics.
Nerve Extracts: Phage libraries were incubated for up to 24 hours at 4 °C in 96 well plates that had been coated with a human nerve extract. Plates were then washed with PBS and phage were eluted using 0.2M glycine pH 2.0. Phage supernatants where then neutralized with Tris pH 9.0 prior to plating on TGI bacteria and LB agar plates. Colonies were counted to determine titer followed by DNA preparation of pools of phage and NextGen sequencing. After rounds of selection, phage were pooled and amplified for iterative selection. Phage that eluted by 0.2M glycine pH 2.0 (the nerve binders) at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection were used to isolate candidate sequences that were further analyzed using bioinformatics.
Muscle Tissue: Phage were processed through multiple cycles of selection, with representative phage being isolated and sequenced after each selection cycle. Specifically, for selection using human skeletal muscle tissue, a sample of skeletal muscle tissue (2mm by 2mm) was washed prior to mixing and incubation with a phage library. After incubation, the mixture (containing mostly intact muscle with phage particles that had variable affinity for muscle) was centrifuged and the muscle pellet washed multiple times with PBS to remove phage with little or no affinity for muscle tissue. The pellet was then homogenized and plated for titering and reamplification. Phage that were bound at each round were sequenced. NextGen sequencing of pools after 2, 3 and 4 rounds of selection were used to isolate candidate sequences that were further analyzed using bioinformatics.
Sequence Analysis
NEB Nerve Protein-Binding Peptides
Python Script Analysis: For all NEB sequence datasets, a python script was used to translate, trim, and filter the peptide sequences. The script translated the nucleotide sequences, translating amber codons as glutamine in peptide sequences, and then trimmed the end sequences that come from the vector. Secondly, the script combined the unique counts of trimmed peptides with identical sequences. Finally, the script filtered out peptide sequences that were likely artifacts or otherwise not useful: (1) peptides that had incorrect lengths for the libraries used (correct are 7, 9, or 12 amino acids long); (2) peptides that had a single or an odd number of Cysteines; (3) peptides that were truncated by stop codons (except the amber stop); and (4) unique peptide sequences that occurred less than six times in a dataset. Another python script was used to group peptides from different assays according to protein target (Myelin Protein Zero, Myelin Proteolipid Protein, Myelin Basic Protein, and Nidogen-2) and also combine the unique sequence counts for each peptide. An R script was written to merge the peptide sequences from different data files and determine peptides specific for each protein target but absent from different protein binding datasets. Peptide sequences were ranked by unique sequence count.
Tables 4A-4D list the top-ranked peptide sequences, based on these analyses, that showed selective binding to MPZ, MBP, PLP, and Nidogen-2, respectively. This analysis yielded some sequences that were previously identified in Example 1, and these are indicated by the corresponding original SEQ ID NOs from Example 1.
NEB Laminin-Binding Peptides
For all NEB sequence datasets, a python script was used to translate, trim, and filter the peptide sequences (see details above). A python script was used to group peptides from different assays according to laminin complex binding (laminin complex 211, 411, 421, or 521) and combine the unique sequence counts for each peptide. An R script was written to merge the peptide sequences from different data files and determine peptides that specifically bind one laminin complex and not the others, or that bind both laminin 421 and 521 but not 211 and 411.
Table 4E shows the top ranked peptide sequences, based on this analysis, showing selective binding to laminin trimers 421, 521, or both, as these forms can show preferential expression in nerve tissue.
NEB Tissue-Binding Peptides For all NEB sequence datasets, a python script was used to translate, trim, and filter the peptide sequences (see details above). A python script was used to group peptides from different assays according to tissue target (muscle, nerve, neuron, or nerve extract) and combine the unique sequence counts for each peptide. An R script was written to merge the peptide sequences from different data files and determine peptides that bind both neuron and nerve extracts but not muscle extracts. Peptide sequences were ranked by unique sequence count.
Table 4F shows the top ranked peptide sequences, based on this analysis, showing selective binding to nerves (compared to muscle).
Table 4A
Figure imgf000061_0001
Figure imgf000062_0001
Figure imgf000063_0001
Figure imgf000064_0001
Table 4B
Figure imgf000064_0002
Figure imgf000065_0001
Figure imgf000066_0001
Figure imgf000067_0001
Figure imgf000068_0001
Figure imgf000069_0001
Table 4C
Figure imgf000069_0002
Figure imgf000070_0001
Figure imgf000071_0001
RHNVEFS 42 52
GSAWKKH 44 410
LALY ARM 44 49
LRFQIPP 44 50
YTPMGTG 50 47
RFELPAP 52 46
HQGSRTY 53 45
TNPWKPH 62 44
GLIRHYT 66 42
ATLKPYR 68 41
Table 4D
Nidogen-2 Count SEQ ID NO:
CIHHKGVLC 6 411
CKDGHIRHC 6 412
CNLATSLQC 6 413
CRSPHEPMC 6 414
CVDKMASVC 6 415
CYSAPTKSC 6 416
EAMMHRN 6 417
LHITPEV 6 418
LSIRGLT 6 419
NILSQVN 6 420
QLLESRT 6 421
QMDAKHM 6 422
QTLRPKQ 6 423
TIASLLV 6 424
WLAAGSQ 6 425
ALYLPGR 7 426
ARMAFSL 7 427
ATYNMSQ 7 428
GLRTMEP 7 429
TPWLPTI 7 430
YNHTMMY 7 431
CSFKMNQKC 8 432
LVHPFHG 8 433
Figure imgf000073_0001
Table 4E
Figure imgf000073_0002
Figure imgf000074_0001
Figure imgf000075_0001
Figure imgf000076_0001
Figure imgf000077_0001
Figure imgf000078_0001
Table 4F
Figure imgf000078_0002
Figure imgf000079_0001
Figure imgf000080_0001
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including U.S. Patent Application No. 63/121,825, filed on December 4, 2020 and U.S. Patent Application No. 63/167,572, filed on March 29, 2021, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. Moreover, in certain instances, well-known methods, procedures, or other specific details have not been described to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the invention defined by the appended claims These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the abovedetailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A nerve targeting peptide conjugate comprising:
(a) a peptide comprising:
(i) an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710;
(ii) an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-66; or
(ii) an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 4-17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44-47, 49, 50, 52-60, and 67-710;
(b) a cargo molecule.
2. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 and 67-151.
3. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS :21-40 and 152-326.
4. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS :41-60 and 327-410.
5. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:61-66 and 411-435.
6. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:436-642.
7. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:643-710.
8. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the cargo molecule comprises a drug, a fluorescent moiety, or a photosensitizing agent.
9. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the cargo molecule is joined to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the peptide.
10. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the cargo molecule is joined to the peptide via a linker.
11. The nerve targeting peptide of claim 10, wherein the linker is a straight or branched-chain carbon linker, heterocyclic carbon linker, amino acid linker, lipophilic residue, peptide linker, peptide nucleic acid linker, hydrazone linker, SPDB disulfide, sulfo-SPDB, maleimidomethyl cyclohexane- 1 -carboxylate (MCC), aminohexanoic acid linker, poly ether linker, or polyethylene glycol linker.
12. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the cargo molecule comprises a fluorescent moiety.
13. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 12, wherein the fluorescent moiety is a fluorescent protein, a fluorescent peptide, a fluorophore, or any combination thereof.
14. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 12 or 13, wherein the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of: a xanthene; a bimane; a coumarin; an aromatic amines; a benzofuran; a fluorescent cyanine; a carbazole; a dicyanomethylene pyrane; polymethine; oxabenzanthrane; pyrylium; carbostyl; perylene; acridone; quinacridone; rubrene; anthracene; coronene; phenanthrecene; pyrene; butadiene; stilbene; porphyrin; pthalocyanine; lanthanide metal chelate complexes; rare-earth metal chelate complexes; and derivatives thereof.
15. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 12 or 13, wherein the fluorescent moiety is selected from the group consisting of: 5-carboxyfluorescein; fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; 6-carboxyfluorescein; tetramethylrhodamine-6-isothiocyanate; 5- carboxytetramethylrhodamine; 5-carboxy rhodol derivatives; tetramethyl and tetraethyl rhodamine; diphenyldimethyl and diphenyldiethyl rhodamine; dinaphthyl rhodamine; rhodamine 101 sulfonyl chloride; Cy3, Cy3B, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5, Cy 7, indocyanine green, IR800CW, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), EGFP, 6-FAM, FAM, fluorescein, 5,6- dicarboxyfluorescein, 5-(and 6)-sulfofluorescein, sulfonefluorescein, succinyl fluorescein, 5- (and 6)-carboxy SNARF-1, carboxyfluorescein sulfonate, carboxyfluorescein zwitterion, carboxyfluorescein quaternary ammonium, carboxyfluorescein phosphonate, carboxyfluorescein GABA, carboxyfluorescein-cys-Cy5, 5’(6’)-carboxyfluorescein, fluorescein glutathione, or any combination thereof.
16. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the cargo molecule comprises a photosensitizing agent.
17. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 16, wherein the photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: a porphyrin, chlorin, and dye.
18. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 16, wherein the photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: porphyrin, protoporfm IX, purlytin, verteporfin, HPPH, temoporfm, methylene blue, photofrin, protofrin, hematoporphyrin, Talaporfin, benzopophyrin derivative monoacid, 5-aminileuvolinic acid, Lutetium texaphyrin, metallophthalocyanine, metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazine, metallo- naphthalocyanines, zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine, bacteriochlorins, metallochlorins, chlorine derivative, Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC), pheophorbide, dibromofluorescein (DBF), IR700DX, naphthalocyanine, and porphyrin derivatives.
19. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the cargo molecule comprises a drug.
20. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 19, wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of: an antihistamine, a GABA receptor modulator, a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor, a local anesthetic, an anticholinergic, a sodium channel blocker, a calcium channel blocker, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone, a y-secretase inhibitor, an AMPA receptor agonist or antagonist, an NMDA receptor agonist or antagonist, an mGlu receptor agonist or antagonist, a growth factor, an antiemetic agent, a corticosteroid; a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NS AID); an anti-epileptic agent; a neurotropic agent; a cytotoxic agent; an antioxidant, an iron chelator, a mitochondrial modulator, a sirtuin modulator, a nitric oxide (NO) and/or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) modulator, a potassium channel agonist or antagonist, a purigenic receptor agonist or antagonist, or any combination thereof.
21. The nerve targeting peptide conjugate of claim 19, wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of: benzocaine; carticaine; cinchocaine; cyclomethycaine; lidocaine; prilocaine; propxycaine; proparacaine; tetracaine; tocainide; and trimecaine; methotrexate; cyclophosphamide; thalidomide; paclitaxel; pemetrexed; pentostatin; pipobroman; pixantrone; plicamycin; platonin; procarbazine; raltitrexed; rebeccamycin; rubitecan; SN-38; salinosporamide A; satraplatin; streptozotocin; swainsonine; tariquidar; taxane; tegafur- uracil; temozolomide; testolactone; thioTEPA; tioguanine; topotecan; trabectedin; tretinoin; triplatin tetranitrate; tris(2- chloroethyl)amine; troxacitabine; uracil mustard; valrubicin; vinblastine; vincristine; vinorelbine; vorinostat; zosuquidar; carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenytein; valproic acid; sodium valproate; cinnarizine; flunarizine; nimodipine; brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); neurotrophin-3; neurotrophin-4; fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor; insulin-like growth factor (IGF); prednisone; prednisolone; dexamethasone; gabapentin; or any combination thereof.
22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-21 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
23. A method of delivering a cargo molecule to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with the nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 1-21 or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 22.
24. A method of identifying a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with the nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 12-15.
25. A method of delivering a drug to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with the nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 19-21.
26. A method of delivering a photosensitizing agent to a neuron or nerve comprising contacting the neuron or nerve with the nerve targeting peptide conjugate of any one of claims 16-18.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising exposing the neuron or nerve to a light source that activates the photosensitizing agent, wherein the neuron or nerve is ablated by the activated photosensitizing agent.
28. The method of any one of claims 23-27, wherein the neuron or nerve is a human neuron or human nerve.
29. The method of any one of claims 23-27, wherein the method is performed in a subject.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered intravenously or topically to the subject.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered orally to the subject.
32. The method of any one of claims 23-31, wherein the nerve targeting peptide conjugate is administered prior to a surgical procedure on the subject.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the surgical procedure is performed on the head, neck, spine, heart, or prostate.
34. The method of claim 32 or 33, wherein the surgical procedure is an open surgical procedure, a laparoscopic surgical procedure, a microscopic procedure, or an endoscopic procedure.
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